Brandon Thompson's Blog
Whats up my people, I'm going to try to keep this thing updated as much as possible. I'm going to try to give you guys weekend recaps every week - depending on how busy my Monday's are haha!
This last weekend I didn't get to really relax and unwind as I had planned but it's ok because it turned out to be pretty productive, I woke up Saturday morning to all these posts with the hash tag #lightituptour ... Hmm, Soooooo - of course I checked out the line up to see it was my brothers Wiz Khalifa & Miguel's summer tour.
Of course I sent some text's and within the hour I headed out to Bakersfield for the night to kick it with some old friends.
Of course I was excited to see the bro Miguel kill but this was the first time I got to see a realllllllly good friend of mine, almost a brother Jonn Hart perform his hit single "Who Booty"! Jonn Kills every time!
I got there checked into my hotel and then headed over to the venue with the team for sound check, grab some food and then wait for the show to start. Their were so many familiar faces that I was happy I could finally get a chance to catch up with, as well as sooooo many new ones I was happy to meet and build with! I've been in L.A. for almost 7 years now so I kind of get tired of doing the same things or seeing the same people and forget that I don't actually know everyone haha.
After the show I went back to the hotel and just ultra chilled... Wasn't much to do in Bakersfield anyway and the last thing I was trying to do was hit some back house ass club in the middle of nowhere lol (Sorry Bakersfield, I still love y'all).
Sunday morning I checked out and drove back to L.A. just in time to grab some Chipotle and catch my brother Chandler's Galaxy game, Chan is #30 on the team and just got traded here from Union so make sure you look out for him in the near future. Thats it, Starting my week off productive and hope you guys do too!
What did you guys do this weekend?
I hope you are all having a killer day! A very good friend of mine who I had the pleasure of working with on Spring Breakers - Vanessa Hudgens released her new video to her single $$$ex today and I must say, I actually just stoped my entire day to make sure you guys check it out! This is defffff going to be a big record this summer for sure, It reminds me of the Iconapop "I Love It" record!
Check out the video below and let me know what you think!!!
Fresh off her 2012 self-titled debut album and Owl City duet “Shine Your Way” from the soundtrack to The Croods, Yuna is giving us the gift of her bright and breezy pop once again in the form of her Sixth Street EP, due out on May 7. The five tracks on the digital-only release are wrapped in a certain kind of warmth — and there’s a reason for that! “All of the songs were written in my apartment where I’m most comfortable, and at that point I understood who I was and knew what I was feeling about life,” Yuna says of Sixth Street.
It's surreal to me to have watched Yuna grow, I remember when a good friend of mine Ben Willis from Indie-Pop Management/Records flew to Malaysia to meet with the amazing singer just to talk to her about working together, Watching his then flip cam footage of her and his trip when he got back sitting in the downtown Los Angeles offices. Four years later we're here.. today.. friday, April 26th 2013 and we're debuting her new single “Let Love Come Through” off the EP. Jazzy, smooth and with just the right infusion of summertime cool, the song kicks off with a rap by Kyle before Yuna’s soothing vocals and thick, retro synths take over. Jump below to listen to the song via Verve's sound cloud..
There are other rappers who are more well-known car enthusiasts, but none have done more to push the culture ahead rides-wise than Young Hov. From Vol. 2's iconic drop-top Bentley Azure, to the gloriously ostentatious yacht party in "Big Pimpin", to coining the term "clearport," it's indisputable that Jay has driven some of the hottest cars the game has ever seen, and dropped some of the slickest ride references the game has ever heard. This is the guy who once made having E-Z passes sound like a symbol of wealth and exclusivity. Being from Rhode Island, We didn't have nice cars, I had never saw a Bentley, Lamb, or a Farrari until I had lived in the city at the age of 16. You can push the latest Mercedes-Benz or you can hop your ass out that S-Class and lay back in the Maybach. Let Jay-Z show you how to do this, son. Just don't ask him what the difference between a 4.0 and a 4.6 is. Scroll down for Jay-Z's Greatest Rides Moments.
25. "Excuse Me Miss" Video
Year: 2003 Ride: Private Jet with S. Carter stenciled on the side Before he actually owned his own PJ, Hov introduced the world to the term "clearport" in grand fashion during the "Excuse Me Miss" visual.
24. The Hovacade in the "Izzo" Video
Ride: Mercedes G-Wagen Jay's on his presidential steez in the "Izzo" video, riding centerpiece in a Roc-a-fella motorcade like royalty, before gliding through on his own parade float later.
23. The Roc Chop Shop in the "Change the Game" Video
Year: 2001 Ride: Various Suzuki, Honda, etc. motorcycles Remember when rap videos had random ass settings such as this one? There's no real reason for "Change the Game" to take place in a chop shop, but there's Jay, stunting in front of a room full of top tier bikes, while various models manage to look hot in mechanic jump suits, and Bleek and Beans zip through the streets. Is this foreshadowing for Roc Nation Auto?
22. "Is That Your Chick"
Ride Reference: "I got your bitch up in my Rover, man" Taking your girl is a favorite rapper pastime second only to getting money, but Hov and Bleek are just plain bullies on the latter's (despite Jay having more verses) "Is That Your Chick" and the above quote is only one of many menacing taunts about all the disrespectful things Hov and your honey are up to when you're not around. Of course a year later, the Jay-Nas beef would elevate these bars from the hypothetical to shockingly truthful, as Jay made explicitly clear in "Super Ugly" that pre-Bey, he was indeed very much about that life. Ice-cold.
21. "Roc-a-fella Billionaires"
Ride Reference: "In the Bach with my shoes up, I just took back the Phantom/Too many fuckers could fathom what it felt like to have em" The whips have to match the wealth, and at a certain point it would appear Hov felt that the Rolls Royce Phantom was too easily obtained by those of lower tax brackets. We always wondered why this enjoyable Freeway cut didn't make a bigger splash, but if it had, Phantoms may have seen a hip-hop community-wide shun of 2003 throwback jersey proportions.
20. "On to the Next One" Video
Year: Debuted 2010
Ride: Jaguar XJ Never one to pass up an opportunity to cross-brand, Jay struck a deal with Jaguar to display the upcoming 2011 XJ in his video for "On to the Next One." As one of his more interesting clips, "On to the Next" isn't content to feature simplistic car-porn close-ups, instead Hov tags it with the then ubiquitous Blueprint 3 sigil and works it into the framework of the haunting, gothic visual.
19. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" Video
Year: 2002 Ride: C1 Corvette, Aston Martin Jay and Bey are fugitive lovers on the run from Lance Reddick in the video for their We're Dating announcement, eluding law enforcement in style, starting in a first-model Corvette and later in a plush Aston Martin, all while Beyonce chucks up the Roc and mean mugs on full Ride or die mode .
18. "In My Lifetime (Remix)" Video
Ride: Speedboat When Puff was in that tub spillin Mo, Jay was at his video with Ace Cris on a speedboat. Even today, but especially in '95, this is high-level flossing for one's debut video. Go through your research.
17. "Big Pimpin" Video
Ride: Huge Yacht This was a moment in hip-hop decadence. If the Bentley Azure was the flagship vehicle for Vol. 2..., then the yacht in the "Big Pimpin" video serves as the symbol for the following volume, and the progression of Jay-Z's vehicular stunt game. Everything about this video is iconic, from Dame Dash's endless Cristal waterfalls, Jay-Z's bucket hats, down to the extraordinary model selection. And the bulk of it takes place aboard this palatial yacht, which has become a quintessential reference when discussing Jay's videography.
16. Yachting with Beyonce
Ride: Various luxury yachts It seems like every few months there's a new pic of Hip-Hop's First Couple on yet another vacay, on another luxury boat off the coast of yet another illustrious island, these days with Blue Ivy in tow. Frequent million dollar vacations with the baddest chick in the game will forever be a win.
15. "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" Video
Ride: 1960s Mercedes-Benz A video that later goes on to boast appearances from the likes o f Harvey Keitel and LeBron starts off with one of the best music video cameos ever when Jay pulls up in an early model Benz chauffeured by none other than Lyor freaking Cohen. This is one of those simple, stand around and rap videos but is there really a need to do more when one of the most powerful men in hip-hop agrees to play chauffeur for a scene?
14. Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life Album Cover
Ride: Bentley Azure It's a simple image, and yet an instantly classic one. The New York throne was for the taking in '98, and after two great yet then underrated albums, Jay-Z was ready to make his presence loud and clear and the album cover had to make a statement along with the music. Enter go-to album photographer Jonathan Mannion and that now iconic Bentley Azure. With that casual stance, Jay-Z had finally arrived, and so began the never-ending onslaught of next-level flossing.
13. "Ain't No Nigga"
Ride Reference: Ferrari 512TR At first glance, most people would probably tell you that this is a Ferrari Testarossa. That's a good guess, but it's also an incorrect guess. Jay is driving a 512TR, the successor to the Testarossa, which is why you see that signature multi-line scoop on the side of the car. This car cost more than $200,000 and had 428 bhp.
12. Beyonce's Father's Day Gift
Ride: Challenger 850 Jet In case you couldn't glean this from the recent avalanche of cover stories, documentaries, and interviews, Beyonce like, really loves being a new mother. So much so that she celebrated Jay's first year as an eligible Father's Day gift recipient with his very own private jet, to the tune of a cool $40 mil. All things considered, they fly so often that this might actually be a sound fiscal decision, but it's worth noting that the interior of this beast looks like a NYC studio apartment. Apparently Bey's the uncontested shit when it comes to wifey gift game, but it does beg the question: between the birthday Bugatti and now this, where does she go from here this year? (December 2013, all aboard the SS Jay-Hova cruise liner!)
11. Reasonable Doubt 10th Anniversary Concert
Ride: '96 Lexus
Jay-Z knows how to capitalize on a moment. For the ten year anniversary of his magnum opus/debut, Reasonable Doubt, Jay performed the album in its entirety, backwards, at Radio City Music Hall. In a genius moment, he made his grand entrance driving a '96 Lexus onstage, the car that was essentially associated at his Batmobile back in the day. The car was also heavily featured in the music video for "Dead Presidents."
10. Beyonce's Birthday Gift
Ride: Custom Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport On December 4th, 2010, the then 41 year-old Jay-Z woke up to a new Bugatti, courtesy of his loving and equally filthy rich wife. Of course, the Grand Sport isn't exactly toddler-friendly so we don't see much of it, although the couple did fly it down to Houston with them while they stunted around the city during All-Star weekend earlier this year.
9. "Maybach Music"
Ride Reference: Maybach 62 S When crafting an ode to hip-hop's favorite luxury Mercedes sedan, a call must be placed to the man who introduced it to the game in the first place. Ross' bars and delivery were still lightweight at the time, but that doesn't matter here thanks to a scene-stealing verse from Shawn Carter, waxing poetic on every detail of the glorious 62 S from the piping to the partition roof almost as if he's trying to sell you one himself. In short, the Maybach is bananas. No one else has said it better.
8. "Show Me What You Got" Video
Rides: Ferrari F430 Spider, Pagani Zonda, Speedboat It seems like the masses have since come around regarding Jay's polarizing lead single from his universally loathed "comeback" album, but back in 2006, people let their hate for the song sweep this otherwise awesome video under the rug. Much was made of Jay's carefree demeanor in the "Otis" video, but look at how much fun he's having here, riding shotgun while Dale and Danica race with reckless abandon through the beautiful streets of Monaco, then splashing hotties in an impromptu speedboat race. High-speed car chases? Dimes in speed boats? Monaco?? A secret lair only accessible by boat? When did Jay-Z became James Bond?
7. "Imaginary Player"
Ride Reference: "You pull up in your 4.0 with your bitch. I pull up in my 4.6 with my bitch. Bumping some othershit. You'll probably hop on my dick right there, right in front of your bitch, asking me some stupid shit like 'Yo dog, what's the difference between a 4.0 and a 4.6?' Like 30 to 40 grand cocksucker, beat it. 'Yo them shits even got leathers?'" Jay-Z has always been one to remind you that he flosses on a higher level, and "Imaginary Player" is a casually rapped mission statement to that effect, but he's never sonned his peers worse than on this taunting track, particularly the end skit, which every self-respecting rap fan knows every single word to. It's not enough for this guy to operate on another level, he can't even be bothered to educate those poor souls hoping to catch up. Remembering this classic exchange is probably what made Ricky Rozay stop short of asking what the difference is between a 57 and a 62 S while recording "Maybach Music."
6. Originating the Maybach Craze
Ride: Maybach 62 S On his "Maybach Music 2" freestyle Jay-Z raps, "first one to cop, I'm the Maybach muse" and by all accounts, he's not fibbing. His first references to the the luxury Mercedes go back as far as Blueprint 2, around the same time other rappers' floss levels only extended to the six series. And if that wasn't enough, Hov also makes sure to remind us that he always rode in the "six-deuce" 62 S, because his money's too long to be seen in the lowly 57 that the rest of us would kill for. Reports indicate his original 'Bach was the the two-toned blue-silver model, as if he owned Gerber.
5. "99 Problems"
Ride Reference: The entire second verse discussing getting pulled over, including "'Son do you know why I'm stopping you for?" Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hat's real low. Do I look like a mind reader, sir, I don't know." One of Jay's most famous songs and famous verses, the lines in "99 Problems" directly bring into light the problem of racial profiling, rapping about how the cop was claiming to pull him over for doing one over the speed limit. Rapping about cars is something that happens everyday; bringing up social issues to present for commentary does not.
4. "Lost One" video
Ride: Maybach Exelero Coupe With Maybach references in rap headed for Molly proportions of ubiquity, Jay had to do something to set himself apart from the pack as the original "Maybach muse." Enter the Batmobile Exelero, the then newly released $8 million coupe, which he takes for a spin around the city for the bulk of the "Lost One" video. Say what you will about Kingdom Come, but the (albeit limited) visual support might feature more stuntworthy car moments than any of his other albums.
3. The "Jay-Z Blue" Denali
Ride: "Jay-Z Blue" Yukon Denali Ever wonder why Hov went out of his way to announce his favorite color on Young Jeezy's "Go Crazy"? Ever the consummate businessman, Jigga never misses an opportunity to reference whatever new product he's about to reap millions off of at the time. In 2007, that deal was almost one of his biggest power moves ever: a GMC Yukon Denali offered in a limited edition royal blue paint job called "Jay-Z Blue." For reasons unknown, the truck never made it past the showroom, but this wasn't the only time Jay tried to put the Roc brand on wheels. He was this close to partnering with Chrysler for a Jay-Z Jeep until restructuring within the company put the deal on ice. Expect him to try again.
2. The ThroneMobile
Ride Reference: Chopped-Up Maybach 57 The first video for Watch the Throne is also among the best clips Jay and Ye ever produced, together and solo. Matching the casual opulence detailed on the album, the instant-classic video features the Throne hollowing out a Maybach 57 then rebuilding and customizing it into a $350,000, flame-spitting go kart. Basically, two of the game's richest rappers destroyed a car most would kill to have, just to do doughnuts in a lot with racially ambiguous models and Aziz Ansari riding shotgun. Why, you ask? Because they could.
1. Riding the Subway to the Barclays Center
Ride: The New York City subway We've just taken you through 24 different moments, almost all of which feature some extravagant yacht, rare ride or extremely expensive supercar. All of those lead up to this moment, when Jay-Z, instead of parking inside of the Barclays Center like we know he could, took the NYC subway to his final performance in Brooklyn. He kindly chatted up a 67-year-old named Ellen who didn't even recognize who he was. It doesn't get more incredible than that.
Hi Buzzers! I gathered a list of the 10 best/swagged out shops in LA right now, Fashion and trends are really one of the greatest elements of the city!
The shopping experience in Los Angeles is different than anywhere else. Unlike Japan, London, or New York, it’s better to drive than to take public transportation. Stores are spread out and it’s not as easy as getting in and out of the subway or tube. But if you’re willing to make the trip, some of these shops offer some cool jawns you may never have seen before. I’ve compiled a short list of stores that are not often mentioned as well as the shops that never disappoint, but most importantly, offer a variety of brands. So instead of sitting in traffic while figuring out the next spot to hit up, we’ve got a couple of suggestions for you. These are The 10 Best Shops in Los Angeles Right Now.
Mollusk Surf Shop
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-7p.m. Sat-Sun 12-6p.m. Website: mollusksurfshop.com Address: 1600 Pacific Ave Venice, CA 90291 You can't really mention LA, or California for that matter, without talking about its surf culture. One of the hubs for the surf community is Mollusk Surf Shop. Located in the coastline community of Venice Beach, you may think they only sell surfboards and sex wax, but its selection of board shorts, T-shirts, and fleece is worth a look. Along with the in-house brand, the shop also stocks Norse Projects, Costalots, Patagonia, Topo Designs, and RVCA. Check out the selection of art, photos, and film while you're in there.
Hours: Mon-Sat 12-6p.m. Sun 12-5p.m. Website: southwillard.com Address: 8038 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Think of a well-dressed dude with a serious case of A.D.D., because that's what this store's interior looks like. South Willard's stock is small and tightly edited that you can count all the brands it carries with just two hands. That doesn't mean the shop isn't worth a visit. As the saying goes: "quality over quantity", and each brand this store carries deserve a look. Besides brands like Band of Outsiders and Gitman Vintage, it also carries lesser-known names like Frank Leder and Stephen Schneider. Also, its continuing collaboration with Crescent Down Works is not to be slept on. But if your pockets just can't cough up some dough, just wait for the bi-annual sale, but be quick about getting your size if it's still available.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6p.m. Sun 11-6p.m. Website: unionmadegoods.com Address: 225 26th Street Santa Monica, CA 90402 Unionmade Goods is a store that finds its roots in the Bay Area, but has since expanded to open this location in Los Angeles. If you're looking for clothes that are made the way they were back in the "good old days" this is your spot. The walls and shelves are lined with heritage offerings from brands like vintage Levi's, Filson, Alden, and the likes. Don't worry about these clothes falling apart; they're picked with quality in mind.
Hours: Mon-Sat 12-7p.m. Sun 12-5p.m. Website: generalquartersstore.com Address: 153 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 General Quarters is an all-encompassing store that offers carefully picked brands that cater to the urban outdoorsman lifestyle. Besides stocking brands that include Tellason, Gant Rugger, and Schott NYC, the store stocks its expanded line of Americana-inspired goods. But that's not all; head to the back and you will find a full service barbershop. Visit this store looking disheveled, and you might leave with your hair perfectly coiffed, a tight hairline, and some quality clothes to keep you looking sharp for ages.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-9p.m. Sun 12-7p.m. Website: amrag.com Address: 150 S La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 Once you're out of General Quarters head across the street to this Los Angeles retail staple. You will notice all sorts of people shopping here from your trendy fashion-forward individuals to streetwear loyalists. That's because American Rag carries everything across the board from 10.Deep all the way up to Alexander McQueen. The also have a great vintage selection, and their denim bar is one of the city's best.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-7p.m. Sun 12-7p.m. Website: shop.hlorenzo.com Address: 8660 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069 This store is perfect for the goth ninja and street goth sets looking for avante-garde designers. H. Lorenzo stocks brands that offer off-the-wall drapey cuts and drop crotches for days. Stock includes fashion-forward brands like Kapital, Siki Im, Undercover, Anne Demeulemeester, and Junya Watanabe just to name a few. If you're looking to join the clothes-get-weirder movement this store is guaranteed to have what you seek.
Hours: Mon-Sat 12-7p.m. Sun 12-5p.m. Website: selfedge.com Address: 144 N La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 Though its New York and San Francisco locations are always mentioned, there's not that much said about its Los Angeles outpost. It offers the same covetable brands denim geeks would bug out on in the same way car buffs would talk about engines. Are your jeans showing signs of a crotch blowout? The store offers a service for denim repair as well as the chance to get your jeans hemmed on vintage chainstitching machines. The staff will properly school you on the basics of all things jeans. They know way too much about denim than the average person should, and that's a good thing.
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Hours: Second Sunday of each month 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for shopping Website: rgcshows.com Address: 1001 Rose Bowl Dr Pasadena, CA 91103 Yes it's the site of the annual Rose Bowl game, and it's technically not a shop, but this flea market is California's largest and best one. Find all sorts of vintage items including clothes and accessories. With over 2500 vendors, there's something in there for everyone. If you love the feeling of digging up some gems and coming up on a pieces nobody would have this is your excavation site. Who knows you might bump into Dr. Romanelli thrifting for vintage pieces to cut up.
Hours: Mon-Sat 12-7p.m. Sun 12-7p.m. Website: misterfreedom.com Address: 7161 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Stepping into Mister Freedom feels like a trip back in time. Other than its in-house brand, which takes vintage-inspired to a whole new level, you won't find any "vintage-inspired" stuff in here. This is the real deal. Items can date as far back as the the 1850's, we're talking about not even in this century. That's why brands come here to get inspired, Hollywood comes in here to rent, and real enthusiasts with deep pockets come here to spend. People may complain about the prices, but these clothes are as close to museum-quality anyone can get. Proprietor Christophe Loiron hunts down hard to find items so you don't have to.
Union Los Angeles
Hours: Mon-Sat 11-7p.m. Sun 12-6p.m. Website: unionlosangeles.com Address: 110 S La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 Originally a store that had a location in both coasts, Union now calls its sole Los Angeles outpost home. It stocks ogle-worthy high-street Japanese brands, but you will find other brands that won't burn a hole in your pockets too. And just like its New York location that broke out many OG streetwear brands, this location is doing the same with brands like U.S. Alteration and Tantum —who's contrasting pocket tees have been widely imitated. You can't deny owner Chris Gibbs' eye when it comes to seeing brands that will pop off, and putting you on to shit you never heard of before.
My fellow Buzzers! (Obama Voice) hehe...
Now that the 2nd weekend of Coachella is gone and over, We have something to look forward to this entire year.
Hive photographer Christopher Kitahara created these gorgeous animated souvenirs of Indio to help us remember the festival’s best moments. Check them out below. Hidden between the crowd shots, you’ll also find intimate backstage portraits of Janelle Monáe, Hot Chip, Johnny Mar and others.
Listen this might not sound like a big deal to you but where I come from it's ANTI-Celebrity hahaha, unitl now. TMZ has exclusive photos of Taylor Swift, her parents and her realtor looking at property in Westerly, Rhode Island! I knew she was in love with me! haha
For everyone who thought Taylor Swift was a little psycho for allegedly buying a house in Hyannis Port, MA to be next door to her BF, well it may be she's just a smart real estate investor, because she's done it again in a WAY more exclusive neighborhood.
Real estate sources tell TMZ Taylor has been looking at one of the most famous properties in Rhode Island -- the Harkness House -- an 11k-plus-square-foot mansion that sits on 5.23 acres of prime real estate.
To give you an idea of how rich she is, the asking price is North of $20 mil.
The "EDM Nerd Who Will Try to Attract Girls With Technological Fashion" Outfit
The "Will Die of an MDMA Overdose" Outfit
The "Old Guy Who Still Raves" Outfit
The "Part-Time Model" Outfit
The "Haunts Your Dreams" Outfit
The "LAX Bro" Outfit
The "Ironically Patriotic" Outfit
The "Hipster Hippie" Outfit
The "Ridiculously Fit Shirtless Bro" Outfit
The "Fratty Dude Trying to Be Different" Outfit
Be safe my peepz! If you have some Levi's 501's rock those too! Those are deff the key element to the Coachella swag 2013!
If you’re heading to Coachella this weekend for a weekend of style and live music, here’s your chance to win tickets to Levi's® ultra exclusive show, going down on Monday, April 15 in Los Angeles. The show will feature some major surprise musical guests, so get to snapping those photos!
Enter by uploading a photo of your best Levi's® 501 festival style from Coachella to Instagram or Twitter and tagging it #SPINVIP and #501.
For more details and entry info, head to www.spin.com/levis501. Good luck!
The Neff "LAZERiFF"" Limited Edition tank is the first item available from the Neff x RiFF RAFF collaboration, with additional apparel and accessories hitting retailers later this year. This tank is available EXCLUSIVELY on PacSun.com and in select Pac Sun retailers nationwide. If you want to see the science behind the collab check out the video HERE!
We here at Buzznet want YOU to get a chance to win this cool shirt by simply filling out the form below!
What do YOU think of the shirt?