“TrenDCity: An Urban Meets Couture Fashion Showcase”

An exclusive event to benefit Matter of Trust (www.matteroftrust.org) an ecological public 501 (c) 3 charity established in 1998. Matter of Trust is spearheading a huge International Natural Fiber Recycling mobilization to help get hair boom to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. This event will showcase the breathtaking talent of D.C.’s premier fashion designers, boutiques, and artists to assist Matter of Trust, as well as increase economic development in the Washington, D.C. area.

Featuring:

Fashion Designer || Reggie Black || Black Collection
Fashion Designer || Kenny Kas Flanagan || Kas Collection
Fashion Designer || Gregory Taylor || Walish Gooshe
Live Artist Courtney Savoy || Alist Graphics
Live Artist Blair Robinson, and many more.

Black Collection http://blkcollection.com/ BLACK Collection is comprised of a team of innovative and knowledgeable individuals: Dylan Chase, and Reggie Black. BLACK Collection is for the “Individual” that has unique style; uses fashion as their method of personal expression and will not tolerate resembling others. Our passion is to be the brand of choice for those that appreciate fashion that speaks for itself through personality driven designs. Don’t take the name Black Collection literally, our products are vibrant in color but yet they exude a sense of artistic moderation.

Owner Reggie Black recently celebrated his 5th year with the company.

Tickets: $20.00 (General)

Purchase Here: http://trendcity.eventbrite.com/

VIBE: What was life like for you growing up?

Phil Ade: When I was born, my father was just getting out of grad school. He went to school in California, that’s where I was born and his first job was in Alabama, that’s where we moved [first]. And it’s been a problem keeping a job for him so that’s why we moved around a lot. Since my father is Nigerian and my mother is from Grenada, I’ve had a lot of different experiences being from a family that’s so diverse, and a lot of that ties into my music⎯just all the different experiences and the different cultures that I was exposed to and grew up with.

You actually quit school to pursue music so how did you’re parents take it?

Singing was always first for me, growing up. I performed with a go-go band in high school. My parents were big on education so I kept that ambition on the low. But obviously they found out when I started working with Raheem DeVaughn, because it was hard to keep that under wraps.

How did you link up with Raheen DeVaughn?

I used to record with this guy who lived next door to me in college. I usually recorded the raps that I wrote in class [Laughs]. But he liked what I did so much that he introduced me to his brother who is friends with Raheem DeVaughn.

You know that because you rap and sing people will compare you to Drake, right?

It’s just human nature for people to try to find a reference for something they’ve never seen or heard before. I know Drake raps and sings, I rap and sing, [Kid] Cudi kind of sing raps and I think it’s just something that kind of happened where we’re all on the rise at the same time. Drake is more established but it just so happens that we both sing and rap and we’re doing what we’re doing in the same era. So that’s something I really don’t pay attention to or worry about too much. Drake is his own artist and I’m my own artist with my own identity so much success to him.

You’re part of a newer wave of artists that perform with live band, why is there such a serge lately, of rappers using live instruments during their sets?

Being from the DC area where live performances like go gos and live music is real popular, that definitely plays a part in why I use a live band. I used to be in a go go band so I’m used to performing with live music. But also, it gives me more freedom to do what I want on stage like, you can be in the middle of a show and you can direct your band to play a certain rhythm or certain tune and the instruments give you a fuller sound when you’re performing. I think people just realized it’s better.

Talk about The Letterman.

It’s my second project following the nuance of the high school basketball theme⎯comparing the [music] game to high school basketball. The established artists would be your varsity players⎯the Kanyes, Nas and Lupes, Drakes⎯and then the JVs are your up-and-coming artists like myself, Yelawolf⎯artists like that who are just making themselves known. With my first project, Starting on JV, I was just making a statement saying I’m one of the best new cats coming out [so] you gotta look out for me and here’s the reason why⎯that’s starting on JV. And this next project is The Letterman, like the jacket that varsity players get to wear. And that basically makes the statement that I’m ready to be on varsity team so here’s The Letterman. It’s gonna be hosted by Don Cannon, Okayplayer is involved with it, the homies over at Common Wealth are sponsoring it, Sneaker Pimps, DJ Booth⎯it’s gonna be a great look.

Describe your creative chemistry with Raheem.

Raheem does him for the most part. He may come through while I’m recording, and listen to something and give me direction on certain things I may need to do on a record. He encourages me to be socially conscious of what’s going on in the world and talk about. He’s kind of like a mentor schooling me on what people want to hear and also in a business mindset, he schools me on how to go about getting myself out there and grinding and building a buzz because there’s only so much a label can do. It’s up to the artist how far that artist goes so he’s kind of like a big brother in schooling me how things go so the chemistry is definitely there, it’s like a big brother, little brother relationship.

How will your music fit into the landscape of all the artists out there, especially since you rap and sing?

I think every artist has a part to play. Every artist has a different story and a different demographic of people that can relate to them. I just try to make the best music I can and make it as true to me as possible and whoever supports that and feels the connection will go from there. But I think hip-hop is moving back into real lyric based music and that’s the music I try to make, something that has a message and that is lyrically sound⎯like with artists like J. Cole and Wale and those types of artists coming out. I fit right into that mold with the way the game is going. Drake is a real lyrical dude too and for a dude like him to come out and be so successful, it tells you a lot where the whole industry has gone, it’s dope.

You’re part of a newer wave of artists that perform with live band, why is there such a serge lately, of rappers using live instruments during their sets?

Being from the DC area where live performances like go gos and live music is real popular, that definitely plays a part in why I use a live band. I used to be in a go go band so I’m used to performing with live music. But also, it gives me more freedom to do what I want on stage like, you can be in the middle of a show and you can direct your band to play a certain rhythm or certain tune and the instruments give you a fuller sound when you’re performing. I think people just realized it’s better.

Talk about The Letterman.

It’s my second project following the nuance of the high school basketball theme⎯comparing the [music] game to high school basketball. The established artists would be your varsity players⎯the Kanyes, Nas and Lupes, Drakes⎯and then the JVs are your up-and-coming artists like myself, Yelawolf⎯artists like that who are just making themselves known. With my first project, Starting on JV, I was just making a statement saying I’m one of the best new cats coming out [so] you gotta look out for me and here’s the reason why⎯that’s starting on JV. And this next project is The Letterman, like the jacket that varsity players get to wear. And that basically makes the statement that I’m ready to be on varsity team so here’s The Letterman. It’s gonna be hosted by Don Cannon, Okayplayer is involved with it, the homies over at Common Wealth are sponsoring it, Sneaker Pimps, DJ Booth⎯it’s gonna be a great look.

Describe your creative chemistry with Raheem.

Raheem does him for the most part. He may come through while I’m recording, and listen to something and give me direction on certain things I may need to do on a record. He encourages me to be socially conscious of what’s going on in the world and talk about. He’s kind of like a mentor schooling me on what people want to hear and also in a business mindset, he schools me on how to go about getting myself out there and grinding and building a buzz because there’s only so much a label can do. It’s up to the artist how far that artist goes so he’s kind of like a big brother in schooling me how things go so the chemistry is definitely there, it’s like a big brother, little brother relationship.

How will your music fit into the landscape of all the artists out there, especially since you rap and sing?

I think every artist has a part to play. Every artist has a different story and a different demographic of people that can relate to them. I just try to make the best music I can and make it as true to me as possible and whoever supports that and feels the connection will go from there. But I think hip-hop is moving back into real lyric based music and that’s the music I try to make, something that has a message and that is lyrically sound⎯like with artists like J. Cole and Wale and those types of artists coming out. I fit right into that mold with the way the game is going. Drake is a real lyrical dude too and for a dude like him to come out and be so successful, it tells you a lot where the whole industry has gone, it’s dope.

“This song is called  ”Feel Again” it’s of the RED COMPLEX album on our site , and it is a song about commercialism. Our NEW Album is 98% complete,  we want to showcase some of our songs new and old, We are just keeping the tradition of putting  out ART and reenergizing the COLOR inside us all. Please Enjoy.” Take A listen and Download & Share.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Washington D.C. based DURKL presents their Spring / Summer 2010 collection.  Using classic silhouettes with updated color palettes, the Spring/Summer collection focuses on everyday wearable yet unique styles that fit into the brand’s collective style.  Some of the highlights include the waterproof Annapolis Jacket, a mix of oxford and light poplin button-down shirts, and the handmade Main Event Sunglasses. The brand also continues their strong tee shirt and hat line up by using iconic graphics and relevant patterns.  DURKL’s unique style, and Washington, DC-born perspective continue to set them apart amongst the emerging lifestyle brands.  The Collection is available 6.7.10 at DURKL retailers worldwide and online at http://shop.durkl.com

Well here it is… has it really been a year? You now, When I first got in to music I did it purely for the fun and excitement of it. As the seasons came an went my hobby transformed into a full on career. The “Odd Seasons” series was a way for me to be creative for no reason other that creativity. That’s why they’ve been free releases. In order to remind my self why I do music, I have to allow some of my works to be created and released for well…. I hate to say it but…. “The Love”— Now That the “Odd Seasons” are complete I’ll be pressing them on vinyl in a lovely box set that will contain all four seasons. So yes, the time will come when you’ll be able to support and purchase. Enough with this! ODD SPRING!!! —ODDISEE

DOWNLOAD LINK

http://oddisee.bandcamp.com/album/odd-spring

TRACKLIST

The Blooming
Birds & Bees Feat. Diamond District
Juba May
Warmer In The Day
Anticipation Feat. Kingpen Slim & Oddisee
In The Now Feat. Olivier Daysoul
The Riches Instr
This Beat Is For Finale
I’m From PG Feat. Oddisee
Two Way Street Feat. Muneshine

By the end of the night, Mayweather had put so many rounds in the bank that the only question was whether he would stop Mosley or be content to win a lopsided decision.

“I wanted to give the fans what they wanted to see, a toe-to-toe battle,” said Mayweather, who has been criticized for fighting too defensively. “It wasn’t the same style for me but I wanted to be aggressive and I knew I could do it.”

Two ringside judges scored it 119-109 for Mayweather, while the third had it 118-110.

Mayweather made Mosley look every bit his 38 years as he landed sharp punches to his head, dominating a fighter who had vowed to turn the bout into the fight of the decade. Mosley tried his best, but couldn’t match the speed of the 33-year-old Mayweather, who grew more comfortable with each passing round.

Mosley was a substitute for Manny Pacquiao, who was all but signed to meet Mayweather until a dispute over drug testing derailed the megafight. Instead, Pacquiao beat Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Dallas and is now campaigning for a seat in congress in his native Philippines.

“If Manny Pacquiao can take a blood and urine test then we have a fight,” Mayweather said. “If not, no fight.”

Read More:http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/mma/boxing/05/02/mayweather.rules.ap/index.html#ixzz0mp0NBJQ2
Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee withSI Subscription