GUEST BLOGGER: Bea

I love Hip Hop, especially the fashion that it encourages. From the old school get up to the mad fitted ensemble that shows how refined this culture could be.

But sometimes, even the greatest minds of Hip Hop make error in judgement, resulting to some of worst Faux Pas this industry has seen.

First on my list is those damned Ed Hardy shirts. I understand why some people may like it but for rappers especially? I’ve seen Flo Rida rock those tees at events and it looks wack. He’s a big beefy guy who looks way too street but those shirts just make him seem a little less than that. But if he’s getting paid to represent that brand name, just pray that he’s getting compensated enough in exchange for his street cred.

Second thing I hate is when I see a dude, looking all bboy-like with the old school flavor but not being able to back it up. It just grinds my gear seeing someone posing like a person who could break dance but surprise, it’s all for show. Unless he can throw down a couple of moves on the floor, then he better get gone.

Third thing I consider a hip hop no-no is something that a lot of people may disagree with and it’s those colourful high top sneakers. I don’t know why but seeing almost the majority of Hip Hop dancers and Justin Beiber wearing this type of shoe just makes it lose its value. It’s a little overrated for me, especially since I’m a believer of keeping it classic with the nikes, pumas and adidas.

Fourth faux pas is the grill. In actuality, I really like them, but only when they are used during mtv’s, performances or events that need a little flashiness. I hate it when people use it for everyday life, as if it’s a necessary accessory. Puh-lease, stop over compensating with your blinged out teeth, especially if it’s fake.

Fifth: The last yet greatest faux pas is the nightmare that Kanye West set upon the nation. Yes, I must admit I was among of the many who was driven mad by those shutter shades but believe me that novelty wore off as fast as it came. Aside from looking hella weird, those sunglasses actually don’t serve a purpose. Having tried one on before (which thankfully I did not end up buying), I could tell they were very uncomfortable since I couldn’t see very well. Kudos to me for not jumping in the bandwagon.

Bea loves to write about hip hop and the history of rap
music. Check her newest entry on the top 100 rap songs.

LoveTheCool was mentioned in a Tennis.com cover post Friday, written by the hugely respected tennis journalist and co-author of Hardcourt Confidential, Peter Bodo.  We are extremely honored.

DOING WHAT WE DIG
This is all because Kieran and I get to do what we love, and help tennis great Patrick McEnroe get going on the social web.

A video game character that responds to emotions.

Finally, someone comes up with a metaphor for the Internet that makes sense!

GOOGLE APP INVENTOR

Dead simple app creation is a brilliant way for Google to compete with and surpass Apple in the mobile game.

Apple’s dominance in the apps department has been the Achilles heel for Android from the beginning, especially since Android is becoming the superior operating system in terms of performance.

Now that Android is making app development so easy your 6 year old nephew can make one, Apple has a serious problem. They’re no longer better at anything…

Did you know that the Screen Actor’s Guild (an actor’s union) was started by the Munchkins (little people) in the Wizard of Oz, as a result how badly they were treated by the studio during the filming of the movie? They were paid almost nothing, fed poorly and forced to sleep in closets.

On a brighter note…

Over the Rainbow -Judy Garland

Well this is ill. Having already had their way with Drake’s breakthrough debut (“Thank Us Later“) production team Cookin’ Soul has turned their sites to their immediate surroundings and crafted one of the better flips you’re ever going to hear. By using Quincy Jones’ classic “Summer in the City“, also known as the Pharcyde’s “Passin’ Me By“, and then adding in Jay and Wayne’s verses from the “American Gangster” track “Hello Brooklyn“, they’ve cooked up “Summer in Brooklyn”, and the result is hotter than Bedstuy in July. (Bonus points if you know where that reference is from.)—->  VIA Refined Hype

In an increasingly overcrowded space, I love the simplicity of Twitter’s coupon initiative, @Earlybird.   Twitter has managed to  integrate this moneymaking service into the stream, seamlessly, by doing what it always does:

• iterate
• while maintaining the integrity of the service
• and respecting the user to the end

Just like when you follow any other user on Twitter, when you follow @Earlybird you’ll receive their updates in your stream and so be alerted to deals Twitter has created with, at the moment, big US brands.  The FAQ page hints that @Earlybird may go local and be customizable to the types of deals you want (fashion, music, etc…)

Twitter hasn’t changed much in three years, but the world has, and yet they have been able to, thoughtfully, adapt to and capitalize on these changes without pissing people off too much.  Twitter’s just cool.

Do you use Groupon or any other coupon service consistently? Does @Earlybird appeal to you?

LoveTheCool is *this* close to being the official agency to promote the music and career of the hugely cool and talented @TDYoungMoneyDre.

WE’RE DO BUSINESS ON SUNDAY
Here’s me and Dre chatting on Skype about goals, the current state of music distribution on the Internet (specifically the social web) and about who we think are the hottest underground rappers now, and of all time.

My. Life. Is. Fun.

Hey, we’re getting a list together –> Who do you think is the best underground rapper today? Tell us in the comment section below.

We finally watched The September Issue last night. Anna Wintour is like the unapproachable captain of a huge vessel, who, if you’re a passenger, you don’t want interrupted.

While Grace Coddington is the Cruise Director, much more approachable, keeping all the humans inspired and happy, and yet just as necessary for survival.

The September issue is a hafta-have for anyone running a business.  Loved it.

Insane remix

(Skream’s Let’s Get Ravey Remix)

Reading Patrick McEnroe’s juicy Hardcourt Confidential, while foiling, so I can Tweet it later.  Workin’ every chance I get.

LISA FONSIGRAVES, the future wife of Irving Penn, being photographed hanging from the Eiffel Tower, by Edwin Blumenfeld.

I’m not even sure what I did wrong, except that time I mass unfollowed hundreds of people using Twitter Karma. But that was way back in December and I totally didn’t know it was against the rules.  And I’ve been a totally cool ever since, adding value (my version of it, anyway) and not ‘aggressively’ following or unfollowing.  So come on, guys, help a brother out, put my shit back on search.

UPDATE: I got an email from Twitter today, just three days after MAILING them to tell them I was banned from search, and I am back in the game. Psyched! (should’ve done it months ago but I have a serious aversion to USPS)

We were high-fiving-psyched yesterday to find out the Twitter account we created for our client, Patrick McEnroe, is going to be featured 24/7 on the ESPN Tennis homepage, starting this weekend.

WHY PSYCHED?
Well, because we created it, for one.  But even cooler, you can catch McEnroe’s point-of-view, via live Tweet, during the entire Wimbledon tournament.  Plus, have the opportunity to engage with him, by offering your point-of-view back (via reply Tweet).

Social media is so cool.