Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Way Back Play Back: Thelonious Monk Straight No Chaser

I was told to check this video out an I was blown away. This week's Way Back Play Back movie is about Jazz great Thelonious Monk directed by Clint Eastwood. This documentary gives you an inside look on the eccentric jazz pianist' s life in the studio and on tour. A very well done documentary and a must see!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Metropalife Radio Episode 14

Another dope episode of Metropalife Radio. Playing nothing but good quality underground hip hop, its just that simple.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Stumble Upon Goodness:"Bruce Lee Ping Pong"

I was out last week making my rounds from club to club promoting our next Metropalife Party and I stopped in Gusto Lounge in Kansas City and talked to my friend and owner Sergio. We we rapped about all types of things the party, sxsw, family, and other stuff, and then somehow we got on the subject of martial arts. You know when your chilling and drinking and such, all types of conversations come up, well martial arts was the topic and then" have you seen the video of Bruce Lee playing ping pong with nunchucks?' I said, nope but that sounds pretty cool, especially being a lover of old school kung fu movies and of course Bruce Lee. So Sergio shows me this video on his iphone type phone and the video is super dope Bruce Lee battles one dude and then two in ping pong using nothing but his nunchucks! We all know Bruce is dope and likes to show it, but this time I was like this cat is beyond amazing! Peep out the video and see for yourself.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Shoe Porn: Supra Tk Society Blue Crackle



Spring is just around the corner thank God, and in the nick of time Supra has brought a new version of the TK Society that is funky fresh for the warm months ahead. If you liked the original TK Society sneakers than more than likely you will like this upgraded blue crackle colorway with light neon green soles. The super comfortable TK's come with extra heel protection molded into high memory polyurethane insole. Exclusive Supra Foam midsole provides the whole foot impact resitance, shoe flexibility, and board feel. But honestly who wants to ride on with these beauties, I'd rather floss. Check these out and cop a  pair at www.Suprafootware.com

Way Back Play Back: Jimi Hendrix The Uncut Story


First sorry for the late post on the Way Back Play Back movie, I'm sure there is someone out there that is upset that it wasn't posted Wednesday, we greatly apologize for the delay. The Way Back Play Back movie today is a documentary on the life of the late great genuine guitar hero Jimi Hendrix. This is the man who completely changed the way guitar was played and the created sounds never heard before by the human ear. Although his music recording career was only 4 years, his music will stand the test of time. Unfortunately like many of the greats his time on earth was short but plentiful in his works. If you are a Hendrix fan or know nothing about him but are interested in his life, "Jimi Hendrix The Uncut Story" is for you. Check it out and enjoy

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Party Party Party: Metropalife Goes To SXSW



























Its on again, another hot Metropalife Party, but this time we are celebrating the Kansas Hip Hop Scene and those artists who are going with us to South By Southwest. Ces Cru, Deep Thinkers, James Christos, and Marcus Shadden are all apart of the group that are coming with Metropalife to perform at Canvas 105 E. 5th St in Austin Texas for the South By Southwest Music Festival Friday March 19th and the 20th. Our pre-party before the big SXSW showdown with be off the chain! We will be playing hot music from Kansas City's own underground hip hop artists plus Miles Bonny will be spinning, so you know you better be ready to dance! Its a night to get down and celebrate Kansas City sounds and the artists among us. Come out Friday March 12, to Gusto Lounge 3810 Broadway Kansas City, Mo. The party starts at 10pm $5 at the door. See you all there! 

See Jane Travel





Believe it or not, New York City can sometimes play host to some not-so-great events. Hence, my absence from Metropalife throughout the past few weeks was totally excusable. I had nothing awesome to report on! Actually, I was invited to several events, visited many a bar, and yet still, I came out with nothing. Don’t be surprised non-New Yorkers. These rare occasions do sometimes occur. However, last weekend completely made up for all the recent wackness. In fact, it was the best weekend ever! Here’s where I went, what I saw, and what I recommend:

 

  1. Saturday evening, I attended the Omara Portuondo concert at New York’s Town Hall, located in Manhattan’s theater district. Danielle’s mom bought us tickets so we went down there to check it out. Quite simply, the performance was amazing. If ya’ll don’t know, Omara Portuondo is the real deal. She’s an old school Cuban jazz singer who’s one of the original members of Cuarteto d’Aida and a contributor to the Buena Vista Social Club. She came to New York to perform songs from her Latin Grammy nominated album, “Gracias,” released in 2008, alongside her band led by musical director Swami Jr. Robert Fonseca, Cuban jazz pianist, opened the show with some Latin-inspired rhythm and blues tunes. In my mind, Fonseca seemed to be a dope mixture of Ne-Yo, John Legend, and Djavan all balled in one, yet, he had a groove all his own. Portuondo’s band was one of the best jazz ensembles I’ve ever seen perform live; each player was brilliant on his own, and when they came together, brilliance enhanced! Her voice was at times loud and vibrant, then soft and whispered. She had me dancing at a street market in Havana one moment, and the next, sharing a seductive waltz with a Spanish conquistador. My recommendation? Cop that “Gracias” album and prepare to be amazed.

http://www.omaraportuondo.com/

 

  1. Sunday morning I decided to be a chic New Yorker and grab brunch in the East Village after a quick morning workout. I walked along 2nd Avenue until I came across Pangea, located between 11th and 12th Streets. It was cute, quaint, and cozy; more importantly, the bar looked fantastic. New American fare was on the menu, so I quickly ordered a roasted vegetable sandwich on ciabatta. A table of diners sitting near me was discussing a recent viewing of Michelangelo’s “David,” while a woman seated behind me couldn’t shut up about the sangria. An ambience made of fine arts aficionados and booze hounds? Perfect! As the waiter walked by a second time, I decided to order the drink special of the day, white pear sangria, and he brought it over stat. At first sip, I was stunned at how awesome this drink tasted. I couldn’t stop, until I realized I was buzzed only after finishing three quarters of the glass. The bartender swung by and asked if I liked it. “YES,” I replied with glassy eyes. Then I asked how she made such a tasty treat. Answer: One half pinot grigio, one quarter poached pear juice, a few sliced lemons and oranges and a splash of club soda. My sandwich then came to the table. It was the perfect temp – not too hot, but warm enough that the goat cheese satisfyingly melted its way onto veggies. Suggestion: Hit up Pangea for a low-key brunch that doesn’t involve waiting an hour for a table, and definitely get that pear sangria.

 

address: 178 2nd Avenue (between 11th and 12th), New York, NY 10003

telephone: 212.995.0900

web: http://pangeanyc.com/

 

  1. Finally, I ended my relaxing Sunday with yet another session of pampering and self-indulgence at Twigs Hair Salon, located in the East Village. Twigs is owned by a trio of lovely ladies, Janell Waddington, Julie Reale, and Kristiana Andrews, who opened up shop in late 2008 after leaving their posts at Soon Beauty Lab and Ruby 6. One foot inside the salon, and you’re immediately whisked away to a 1960s ski lodge, complete with kitschy fixtures (antlers on the walls, wooden floorboards), mod furniture (black leather square station chairs), and of course, a bar upholstered with more black leather, this time studded. There’s even a candy apple red fire place located on the bottom floor next to said bar, so while you’re waiting to have your hair washed, you can lounge with a glass of white wine or a cup of tea. Aside from the décor, the salon provides excellent service with tremendous results. I’ve been going to Janell since 2003, and she’s never let me down. The Twigs’ stylists are able to create a wide range of looks – edgy and textured, soft and sexy, long (with the help of extensions), and short (with the help of scissors), and their ability to do seamless color changes is fantastic. Men and women are both welcome, so come on down.

 

address: 520 East 11th Street (between Avenues A and B), New York, NY 10009

telephone: 212.358.9447

web: http://www.twigsalon.com