• SAKS IN THE CITY: REAL[ART]ISTIC
• Branded Cockroaches Infest NYC - Zoo York Guerrilla Campaign (VIDEO)
  Brilliant yet utterly disgusting.

I know, I know. I’ve been to Africa and back and haven’t blessed the blog. My Nigeria trip was unbelievable. I got to see Rihanna, Jay-Z, Usher, Mary J Blige, Chris Brown and Fat Joe perform. I interviewed Tyson Beckford. I met some incredible people from both the US and the UK but most of all I left with an intense desire to not only return to Africa for an extended visit but to also trace my roots back there. All of my life I’ve known that my family could not trace our ancestry any further than South Carolina (on my Dad’s side) and Kentucky (on my Mom’s side) and I always accepted it as the way it is. I’m no longer willing to accept that.

From the moment I stepped off of the plane in Lagos, Nigeria until the moment I passed through the final check point to board a London bound plane off of the continent, people mistook me for Nigerian. They asked me what African country I was from and more specifically what tribe I was from. For the first time in my life I felt a deep sadness in my uncertainty. Now I begin my quest for answers.

You can read my blog from the field here and here.

Since I’ve been back I’ve been busy covering events like Ryan Leslie’s Listening Session, Kid Cudi’s Mixtape Release Party, Three6 Mafia’s performance at the Alife store in NYC, and Nas’ protest outside of the Fox News building.

And now, it’s celebration time. Tomorrow is my birthday (the big 2-6) and I’ve returned to the city of my birth (Los Angeles) to celebrate. I’m off to the pool to continue reading the Power of Now. Enjoy your weekend!

• Kanye West offers a fashion show within a show - Los Angeles Times
  The man’s marketing schemes are unparalleled.

I’ve been a very bad blogger. *hides head in shame* Rest assured that I have been keeping busy. I got a new camera (Canon HV30) and have been obsessively researching all of the components to complete my rig. I wrote a review for the new movie, The Wackness. I did a phoner with Fonzworth Bentley today and I’ve been getting my visa and vaccines on point for a very exciting upcoming trip but I think I’ll keep it under wraps for now.

A while ago my former co-worker and all around inspiration Kevin R. Scott tagged me to share my seven songs of the moment so here goes:

Ben Harper - She’s Only Happy In the Sun
A summer classic which brings back a lot of memories.

Gym Class Heroes ft. The Dream - Cookie Jar
LOVE!

Jay-Z - Beach Chair
“I’m not afriad of dying, I’m afraid of not trying. Everyday hit every wave like I’m Hawaiian.”

David Banner ft. Yung Joc & Chris Brown - Get Like Me
Stuntin’ is a habit, what can I say?

ByrdGang - Splash
So ignorant yet hard.

Katy Perry - I’m Still Breathing
I love the entire album but if I had to pick one song…

N.E.R.D. - Spazz
Soundtrack for letting one’s hair down.