RIP Sean Taylor

Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins died yesterday after being shot at his home early Monday morning (scroll down to see story). Police are still investigating the shooting with no reported leads. Our condelences to Sean's family, community, and the Redskins organization, who mourn the loss of a young and dynamic athlete.

UPDATE: Hip-Hop gets persecuted once again.

The New Face of Harlem

Harlem has undergone many changes in the past few years. The region, once home to African-American legends like Malcolm X, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Langston Hughes, was the setting of the intellectual and cultural Harlem Renaissance Movement in the 1920s and 1930s. Today, Harlem's prominent African-American population appears to be diminishing; the rapid increase of rent, development of high-priced luxury condos, and the difficulty to survive as a small business all attribute to the dramatic new look of Harlem World. In one word, gentrification.

Columbia University, located on 116th and Broadway, is the owner of most of the property on Broadway Avenue. Yesterday the university's latest plan to expand into West Harlem was met by hostile protests from neighborhood activists, preservationists, and affordable housing advocates. Columbia's plan to construct a 17-acre arts, business and science campus in Manhattanville was approved by The City Planning Commission. The university is considering the use of eminent domain, which allows an organization to take over public property for private use.

So where does that leave residents and small businesses? Keep watching - I guarantee that in a few years, Harlem will be much...lighter.

GFCnewyork Legend: The Cosby Show

TV Sitcom, The Cosby Show

In The News

Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins is currently being hospitalized and in critical condition after being shot in his Miami home early this morning. A family friend told police that Taylor, who is 24 years old, had been shot two times at about 1:30 AM. No further details have been released.

Oprah Winfrey will be joining Barack Obama on his campaign trail next month. Winfrey, an avid supporter of Obama, will make appearances in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina with the Democratic presidential candidate. Winfrey's support is key as Barack fights to earn the critical women's vote.

Jarrel Gray, a 20-year-old African American man, was killed this past Sunday after a deputy shot Gray with a Taser. The deputy was responding to a fight in an apartment complex in Frederick, Maryland. It is reported that he asked the men involved to put their hands up, and all but Gray did. The deputy shot Gray with the Taser, and Gray fell unconscious and was pronounced dead shortly after at the Frederick Memorial Hospital. The deputy is currently on suspension with pay.

Christmas Wish List

Today is the day that we nationally acknowledge the things that we are thankful and greatful for. It's also the beginning of the winter holiday season, which will be preceded by Christmas and then New Years. This here post of mine, is me covering all 3. So I'd like to thank in advance the folks that will be making my Christmas Wish List come to fruition, allowing me to be fresh for the coming year. That was nice of me, wasn't it [nods head]. Anyhow here is the start of my list.

Double Identity Hi-Top Canvas Zip Sneaker [Black]

Lanvin Suede Tennis Shoe w/ Laser Cut Patent Leather Toe [Navy Blue]

Nike SB P-Rod x Eric Avar JihRod Boot Raf Simons Astro Sneakers [Metallic Blue]

Bell & Ross BR 01 Tourbillon

Vane UndiVided Black Fleece w/Houndstooth Stripe

Jade Peforming @ Katra

New York's very own sacred vixen, otherwise known as Jade will be performing this coming Wednesday, Nov 28th @ Katra. For all those that haven't had the opportunity to witness Jade perform, you'll be captivated by her vocal allure. With the abstract dynamic of her music and her beautifully genuine aura, be prepared to witness a godsend.

GFCnewyork Legend: Fred Astaire

Broadway Legend, Fred Astaire

Yeah, B!

At last night's American Music Awards show, Beyonce won the International Artist Award, making her the first woman to ever take the title. Black woman, might I add. Beyonce humbly accepted the award and said, "I am so blessed to wake up every morning and do what I love to do. I don't take it for granted. I'm so grateful, I'm so honored and I'm so humbled by this award." Kudos to Beyonce and her continued success as a worldwide entertainer.

The New Black...Magazines Breaking Rule of Thumb

Men's Vogue new issue just recently hit stands this past week, with Will Smith gracing the cover. This may not be significant to most, but in the magazine industry when most "shy away from putting African-Americans on the cover in the belief that they don't sell as well, the new Conde Nast men's magazine has devoted four of its 12 covers so far to black men: Tiger Woods, Barack Obama, Denzel Washington and, in December, Will Smith."

Click HERE to read more.

It appears to me that men's publications have always been more receptive to embracing African-American's or other ethnicities on their covers as opposed to women's publications. Here are some new magazine covers also featuring African-Americans.

GQ

BLENDER, read the story HERE

Photos from the shoot

Video from the shoot

Niggy Tardust

The critically acclaimed spoken word artist, Saul Williams, whose appeared in such classics as Slam, is back again with his new album "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!" This go round he is accompanied by Trent Reznor of the Nine Inch Nails, who's responsible for production throughout the whole project. The music is only available via his website, where users can opt to pay $5 for 192kbps or better mp3 files or download only the 192kpbs mp3 files for FREE. Either way you are getting your money's worth. Please go and support revolutionary artists such as Saul Williams and Trent Reznor. You surely won't be disappointed.

New Skyline to Accompany MoMA

"A new 75-story tower designed by the architect Jean Nouvel for a site next to the Museum of Modern Art in Midtown promises to be the most exhilarating addition to the skyline in a generation. Its faceted exterior, tapering to a series of crystalline peaks, suggests an atavistic preoccupation with celestial heights. It brings to mind John Ruskin’s praise for the irrationality of Gothic architecture: “It not only dared, but delighted in, the infringement of every servile principle.”

Click HERE to read the rest of the story.

Dave Chappelle in the UK

This guy is the truth.

Jay-Z in the new Rollingstone

"Order some patrizee while talking to this breezy/
brushing off my three piece I make this look to easy/
So tall and lanky my suit it should thank me/
I make it look good to be this admired lansky
This is lucky lefty gangsta effortlessly
Poppa was a rolling stone it's in my ancestory/
I'm in a whole other league niggas never catch me/
And I sport fly shit, I should win a Espy." - "Party Life" Jay-Z

Excerpt from Rolling Stone interview

Behind the Scenes of Rolling Stone Cover Shoot

Everything Man

This Shit Right Here

Wet Not Dry

My man, Jason Scott has begun his journey in taking over the New York Nightlife with the official launch of his Scott On The Rocks brand and website a few weeks ago. Now he's just launched his blog, Wet, Not Dry. The blog with it's eccentric cast of bloggers will chronicle club politics, music, art, alcoholism, film, style, sex, drugs & all that good stuff. This should be real entertaining.

Rewind: Room Service, Wednesday, Nov 14th

I got too ahead of myself, I forgot to tell you about the 1yr Anniversary party for Room Service. It's going to be utterly insane. DJ Steve Aoki will be orchestrating the evening's score being accompanied by Chromeo. And then the people that will be in the building from Jason Scott & Scott on the Rocks, Kwasie Kwazz & GFCnewyork, Dirty Jax Clothing, Kesh from the UK, and more. It'll definitely be the place to be this coming Wednesday, don't miss out.

Jay-Z on Charlie Rose

We Own Thursday

This Thursday, Nov 15th we'll be in 2 places at once. Don't ask how, just be there to witness it for yourself.

Mickey Factz will be performing at Crash Mansion. Come check it out, it'll be a show for you to remember.

And stylist Kwasie Kwazz will be celebrating his birthday in style at NOVO, that same evening. It's going to be a very eventful night.

Frank Lucas on Hot 97

Righteous Kill Trailer

We haven't seen Deniro & Pacino in a film together since HEAT. So this becomes automatically a must see film. Even your boy Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is starring in the film.

The one thing that throws me off though, is that trailers are suppose to get you hype to see the film. This trailer is cool, but they sporatically throw some clips of 50 in there to show you that he's in the film. The placements don't make sense though. And they're selection in music for the backdrop of it seems off, like that of a subpar action films. I hope this isn't foreshadowing what's to come.

Jay-Z's an Artful Dodger

In more news, Jay-Z on his quest to becoming a "Billy G.O.A.T." has just purchased Artful Dodger.

"Scion, LLC, a joint venture between Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, today announced that it has acquired the brand Artful Dodger(R) from Sovereign State, LLC. The purchase price for the brand was approximately $15 million, paid in cash by Scion."

To read more of the press release, click HERE.

My question...Am I oblivious to everything going on, or is Jay the only dude really making any moves?

Phever

My man over at Pardon Me Duke put me onto this cat. This is some hard brooklyn ish, so you know I had to throw it up. Clicke HERE to check more music from the artist.

Heaven's Fallout is FINALLY DOWNLOADABLE

Our apologies to everyone that's been waiting for Mickey Factz - Heaven's Fallout since Halloween. We had to make some last minute adjustments. Anyhow, the wait is over and you can CLICK the image above or go over to http://www.gfcny.com/ to download the mixtape for FREE.

Feedback is always greatly appreciated. Enjoy the music.

Jay-Z Overdose

"Do y'all want more of the Jigga man?
Well if y'all want more of the Jigga man
Then I need y'all to help me, bring him back to stage
Say Hova, c'mon say it!
HO-VA! HO-VA!" -- Jay-Z "Encore"

VH1 Storytellers: Jay-Z: Life of an American Gangster airs on November 9 at 9:00 p.m. Here's 3 songs from his performance on the show.

"American Dreamin"


"Fallin"


"I Know"


Here's Jay-Z's video for his new single, Roc Boys. Check out GOMA aka Lil' Jay. Much respects to my dudes over at Team Guerilla Films for getting that great look!!!

Jay-Z, Diddy, & Nas...That's a great look!!! That's some GFCnewyork ish. (peep the Salute Me Dap they do...classic)



Here's some behind the scenes footage of Jay, chillin' before a performance. I like that exclusive ultra-limited BlackWatch Polo shirt you have on...SWEET



Go Cop That Album, Out NOW!!!

Jay-Z on Letterman

Don't forget to pick up the album, this Tuesday.