Diddy

DJ Scratch: "There are smoke and mirrors in the clubs"

By Souleo If you want an honest opinion on today's music scene sometimes your best bet is to ask the DJ (as long as they are not involved in Payola). The deejay reigns supreme as the gatekeeper of music with an influential position to make or break a record. DJ Scratch whose credits include Diddy, Jay-Z, The Roots and more represented for all DJ's by winning $250,000 and the title of "Master" on the Centric Network's Smirnoff reality series, "Master of the Mix." DJ Scratch kept it real with JimmyJazz.com as he revealed the challenges behind-the-scenes of the show, why youth need to see the struggle and why the clubs ain't what they used to be.

On the "draining" competition:

It was physically draining. They didn't get to show it but in the Las Vegas challenge we were in 115 degree heat for seven hours in the sun and then we had to DJ. In all of our usual careers we don't do that. We will be in a hotel room under air conditioning and have everything set-up before we get on. So it took us out of our spoiled environments and took it back to paying the dues.

On what it takes to be successful:

On the come up you pay dues. I went on tour with Run DMC in 1998 in Australia and Japan. I had no hotel room. I took showers and ate at the venues so that's paying dues. That's why I was able to get through all of the behind the scenes stuff because I been through that. If they get a second season they need to show the struggle. Too many kids see the success but not the struggle and that's important.

On what it takes to get the club poppin':

A lot of DJ's can't blend at all. They use sound effects or scream on the microphone like Ralph Kramden to distract from their lack of mixing. There are smoke and mirrors in the clubs. An underground DJ who understands the art can play an Usher throwback and then go into the original Dionne Warwick sample and the crowd still rocks with it because it's the same music. Most of them won't know that song is a sample so they enjoy the original as well as the Usher version.

President Obama disappoints Diddy; Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler destroy "American Idol" and hickeys can be deadly. Ish hits the fan now.

Diddy has beef with President Obama

Most of the time I can care less about what Diddy has to say but when I heard he went after President Obama, well I had to find out the details. Long story short in the February/March 2011 cover story for The Source, Diddy notes that he ain't exactly satisfied with the way the President has been handling business. Diddy stated, "I love the president like most of us. I just want the president to do better. There's a difference between us voting for somebody and us believing in somebody."

Well the reader below ain't hearing it, Diddy.

"All this coming from a pointy mouth buch teeth overated thug with money who sets a bad example for the black family with all those children out of wedlock. With all of his flaws, he had the nerve to criticize the president.  Go to an orthodontist who can reset your teeth where you can close yo' damn mouth and shut up!"

Source: www.mediatakeout.com

Commenter: diamondpond

The Beginning of the end for "American Idol"

Aerosmith lead singer, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez made their debuts on a revamped 10^th season of "American Idol" this week and uhm, it appears that not everyone was feeling the new cast members.

"I still can't believe they have a nerve to have JNO as a judge when her ass can't sing for shit...Steven Tyler, I was very surprised at him...he really cared about was looking at young girls and talking about how hot he thought they were. What a pervert? And Randy was the worst? He's so damn boring.

Source: www.thatgrapejuice.net

Commenter: LOLA

Love Hurts

When you're looking to get intimate with your lover you might want to let him/her know to stay the hell away from your neck. This week a woman in New Zealand had a small stroke that partially paralyzed her after she was given a hickey. According to doctors the force of the hickey-giver's sucking strength caused a blood clot in the artery, which then travelled to the woman's heart. Thankfully she made a recovery but as the commenter below notes there is only way to describe the experience.

"Oh my goodness. That sucks. (No pun intended.)"

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Commenter: cargofuzz

By Souleo w/assistance from Melissa Santaella. Diddy is credited as one of hip-hop's most stylish men as he easily goes from dapper to casual. Even when dressing down, Diddy makes sure to stand out in the crowd with an eye-catching accessory, a pretty woman by his side or in this case a colorful T-shirt.

Proof that sometimes the best fashion statement is an image of a hot woman is this Exact Science Productions T-shirt:

http://www.jimmyjazz.com/mens/tops/stimulus-plan/XS1009?color=White

These LRG jeans with contrasting stitching and embroidered detailing on the pockets will keep you comfortable no matter the environment:

http://www.jimmyjazz.com/mens/bottoms/lrg-heritage-jean/K105021?color=Blue

You can credit these Air Jordans to film director, Spike Lee since he inspired this design:

http://www.jimmyjazz.com/mens/footwear/jordan-air-jordan-spiz-ike-sneaker/315371002?color=Black

Finally, complete the Diddy look with Mecca jacket with perforated detailing throughout and ribbed collar, cuff and hem:

http://www.jimmyjazz.com/mens/outerwear/mecca-surplus-jacket-sizes-l-3x-/M810900?color=Grey

Diddy is not the only one who can do casual in style.

By Souleo. From her days as a founding member of Danity Kane to now working with Diddy as part of the Dirty Money crew, singer-songwriter and comic book creator, Dawn Richards has finally come into her own with a new high-fashion oriented look of edgy sophistication.  It's perhaps no coincidence that her forthcoming debut comic book series, Danity Kane mirrors her new style with equally dramatic and highly stylized illustrations by Kim Ji Min.

Trace Dawn's evolution below as she talks how Hurricane Katrina and being part of Danity Kane stifled her creative fashion sense, the need to embrace her provocative side with her sexy KING Magazine layout and why she is now more confident and self-expressive than ever before.

"People were introduced to me here with Danity Kane when I had a tragedy happen to me.  I lost a lot and I was homeless due to Hurricane Katrina.  So I did the best I could at the time.  So it wasn't easy to be the girl I wanted to be or dress how I wanted to.  I feel like there was a misrepresentation of the person I was because I really do love fashion."

"I actually wasn't naked in this shot.  I had a bathing suit on.  At this time I was looking for something edgy.  Everybody pegged me as a one dimensional girl but I love to be beautiful and to stretch the limit.  I thought it would be fun to do a different look for King and not do a butt shot."

"Now with Dirty Money I'm able to be more myself than prior with Dainty Kane.  I was in a pop group and it was five girls and we had to share fashion and always look great together.  With Dirty Money there are only three members and one is a man so the budget is a little bit bigger.  So I'm finally able to be more expressive and take more risks than I was able to do in Dainty Kane."

For more information on the comic book series, Danity Kane please visit:

http://www.eigomanga.com/danity/#/home/

By Souleo. Mario Winans has been lying low for the past few years holed away in the studio producing for the likes of Diddy, Keyshia Cole and others.  Now he is set to return as a solo artist with the forthcoming album release Love's Highway. Making the record forced Mario to reflect on his own love journey which he shares with JimmyJazz.com

Mario recounted a tumultuous relationship which he considers to be one of his main bumps along the highway to love that he's had to overcome.

"I was very vulnerable in a new state and didn't know a lot of people.  I fell in love with a girl and I believe she loved me too.  Whatever she was doing was bringing pain to me and I soon realized I was caught in a situation with someone who loved me but with a ceiling.  Her wants and urges came before my heart and I couldn't really break out easily," he revealed.

Finally Mario did break free of the relationship and in doing so he created one of his breakout hits, "Emotional," for Carl Thomas which featured Faith Evans.

"In 'Emotional' the line: What's a man to do when he can't take no more/What I am I to do when my heart beats me to the door is from that relationship.  I was stuck 'cause of where my mindset was," he said.

Mario's mindset is now in a completely different state and it's one of contentment.

"I'm happily married now and in the best place.  I fall in love with my wife every second of the day.  We have a beautiful family and I'm excited about it."

Such happiness doesn't mean that he won't deliver the emotionally charged love songs he's known for as evidenced on the album's buzz single, "Here Comes the Pain."  The track is signature Mario but it's good to know that he's no longer living the tales of heartbreak he sings so effortlessly.

For more information please visit:

http://home.rioworldmusic.com/

Check out Mario's "Here Comes the Pain"

By Souleo. Should the urban Hollywood community do more for the communities they represent has been a question that many ask and few answer.  One talented urban celebrity who is answering that question through action is producer DJ Webstar.  After rising to fame alongside Young B with the hit "Chicken Noodle Soup," he has been on his grind producing for everyone from Diddy to Justin Bieber.  Still he finds time to give back as he recently he teamed up with Jimmy Jazz and HOT 97 for our school clothing drive and he regularly counsels youth at the Harlem Children's Zone.

For DJ Webstar giving back by promoting education is a matter of importance since he understands the struggles that youths face.

"I grew up poor with six of us in one bedroom.  When I was growing up I didn't have nobody giving back and those that did were not young.  So if I show the younger ones that I can give back then they will give back in their community in ways I can't as doctors, lawyers, and teachers," he said.

With high drop out rates, peer pressure and low academic scores he knows better than most about the challenges of the education system and is even committed to returning to school himself.

"I graduated high school and went to college and then got caught up in music.  I do plan to go back to school and finish.  It's important to always have as much knowledge as possible."

DJ Webstar is hoping that his efforts inspire more in the urban community to give back and make a difference.

"I don't think enough rappers do enough.  Most of us came from the hood and didn't always have the nice things we had.  So you're obligated to set a good example of the kids so that they won't be messed up in life."

For more information please visit:

www.myspace.com/scrillahill123

Video Above: Sean "Diddy" Combs and his design team talk about the "New Look of Sean John".

JimmyJazz.com is proud to welcome one of the hottest brands in the streets to our site... Sean John! The brand, which was founded by super hip-hop mogul/ Bad Boy Records CEO, Sean Combs, really brings street sophistication with a touch of Diddy. Since it's launch, back in 1998, several popular faces in hip-hop have modeled for Sean John. Such Nelly, Cassie, Fabolous, T.I., Dolla (R.I.P) and several others. Here are some of the pieces we have in stock this winter. Shop fast, these items are moving quick!

Leather Neck Pull Over Hood by Sean John

Striped Sweater by Sean John

Free Cable Sweater by Sean John

Stay connected to JimmyJazz.com for more pieces from Diddy's Sean John collection.

By Souleo.

If you thought hip-hop was one dimensional, think again.  Newcomer and Toronto rapper, Shaun Boothe is out to showcase all of the different elements of hip-hop and his persona in 3-D fashion.   JimmyJazz.com was in attendance to witness the premiere of his new video “Poor Boy,” at New York’s Bryant Park Hotel Screening Room.

Shaun Boothe “Poor Boy” Video Trailer:

The event was hosted by Hot 97 and MTV personality, Cipha Sounds who kicked it off in his usual humorous style.  Cipha Sounds noted that he had to support Shaun Boothe based on his creative concept of utilizing 3-D and his unauthorized biography series, where Shaun raps out the biography of noted figures such as Diddy, Oprah Winfrey, Bob Marley and others.

“You need some concept because everybody can make music now.  So getting CD’s used to be rare and you would know it was good for the money and effort, but now it’s hard to get through the muck.  I think Shaun has a creative concept that will get a lot of people’s attention,” Cipha said.

Already Shaun has attracted the attention of many industry tastemakers who were in attendance to witness the video première.  While 3-D glasses were inexplicably not given out we were able to witness the video and all of its colorful and energetic visuals.  We would have loved to have gotten the full effect but we at least got to hear a talented new hip-hopper arriving on the scene with a catchy and hard-hitting single.

Shaun Boothe’s Unauthorized Biography of Sean Combs:

For Shaun Boothe, the inspiration behind the 3-D concept was all about stepping outside of the limits of hip-hop.

“I’m a diverse person and as artists we get forced into a box.  When I’m in a box I punch air holes in it.  So I’m packaging it so they get all sides of me and not just one,” he said.

One side that Shaun Boothe is not afraid to show is his vulnerable side.

“As rappers we have this superman complex that as an artist you’re bigger than human and perfect and polished.  The reality is when I’m on stage I try to become bigger than life but still want to show my weaknesses and vulnerabilities,” he said.

One such insecurity he must grapple with is the reality being a starving independent artist.

“When you’re an artist and put everything on the line that’s the biggest gamble on yourself and dream.  I have friends who are lawyers and doing things and I'm still here grinding and struggling pursuing my dream.  It is hard sometimes to accept that I don’t have the monetary stuff to validate who I am but I know that I’m doing what I love and looking back with no regrets,” he said.

Shaun Boothe is definitely moving forward and helping to usher in the new hip-hop talent arriving from Canada, one dimension at a time.  Shaun is currently finishing up his debut album and plans to embark upon a 3-D hip-hop tour in 2010.  It all sounds exciting but just make sure next time we get a pair of 3-D glasses.

For more information on Shaun please visit: www.myspace.com/shaunboothe

2009 is a big year for celeb haircuts and new-do's. Just about every female in the game retransformed their head of hair to the mohawk... Cassie, Lala and Rihanna just to name a few. But as of late, a couple of ladies have taken new leaps of style and are experimenting with a the old school 'mulock'. A haircut which is usually defined as 'business in the front, party in the back'. If your not to familiar with this style, you can check out R&B bad girl, Kelis. She updated her MySpace profile with a new press photo for her upcoming project... which is still untitled.

Aside from Kelis, Diddy's new female duo, Dirty Money (Dawn Richard & Kalenna), are frequently seen rockin' mulock's in appearances and in their latest music video, "Love Come Down".

And just in case you are having a bad hair day or may have made the mistake of going for the wrong hair-cut, you can also cover up with a cool hat. Stay warm and look cool this Winter. Check out what JimmyJazz.com stock for women, men, girls & boys.

Fur Trapper Hat by BCA Endeavors

Pentan Hat by Rocawear

Fur Trapper Hat by BCA Endeavors (Patent Leather)