These past couple of days have been a little hard for me. One of my friends passed away this past friday and ive been wrapped up in my emotions ever since i heard the news. One minute i'm good and the next i'm in tears. Its like i have this cloud hoovering over my head that i can't seem to shake at the moment.
R.I.P Terrell.
I'm still in NY but I leave tomorrow...this has definitely been a great week up here with my BFF's. And i'm dreading going back to school... its bittersweet tho. Maybe i'll listen to Asher Roth's "I love College" for inspiration.
Over the weekend, me, B. Blanco and the girls took in a show at Webster Hall--non-other than J*Davey, baby, courtesy of "Lick." The crowd was mixed full of downtown's regulars, punk kids, and 40-year-old white men with a thing for "soul music." Fall out Boy's Pete Wentz was there, in his tophat and as well as the fruit of Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz's back in the day love --daughter, Zoe Kravitz (She and Jack Davey arrived together), who has a mean style, but of course. Though the party didn't really get live til about 3 a.m., (yes that's right 3 a.m.,, doors opened at 11pm, lol), the opening act was Amanda Diva, and although I appreciate Diva as a TV personality, and dig Diva Speak TV, when I happen to catch it, her songs had me a bit lost in translation. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate her effort as a burgeoning, non-conforming artist, but her music is a little all over the place. From rhyming about neon colors to broken relationships--to put it short, it lacked focus. But I dig Diva, so hopefully over time, her sound will become a bit more defined.
But before she took the stage, DJ Jasmine Solano oh-so-wonderfully blessed the turntables with her smooth transitions and retro mix. She had the crowd groovin' to everything from Prince to Dilla. Ummm, Who says female DJs don't get down? Last, but not least, the long and lean, mohawked songtress, Jack Davey took the stage along with her partner behind the keys and production, Brook d'lieu. The chemistry that these two share on stage is amazing--Jack with her frail frame gliding about the stage, damn there making love to the floor, and Brook with his laidback approach to just about everything-whether it's on the keyboard or the mic. The laxidaisical-electro-funk sound that they produce is truly like no other, AND I LOVE IT! So did the crowd, they joined in the performance by jumping onto the stage during J*Davey's set and Zoe even got into it, hanging on Jack's leg while she was crooning. But, before I wrap this re-cap up, there was another moment in the show, that just had me captivated. It was when the "LICK" girls graced the stage with their sensual choreography.
I'm telling you, the things these girls did with lace would amaze you, and in case you didn't know, I love lace. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But what I enjoyed even more, was the track that accompanied the girls' sultry performance-- DJ Keys N Crates remix to Aaliyah's "One In A Million." It was my first time ever hearing the remix and being introduced to this dope production team. All in all, despite the late arrival home due to the inconvenience of NYC cabs ( Note: For some reason, every cabbie is scared of Bedstuy, and we didn't get home until 5:30 a.m.!), that night and oh yeah, meeting Jack is right up there on my list of Classic NYC memories.
For your enjoyment: Keys N Crates-"One in A Million (remix)" (Live performance at Toronto's Down One Lounge)
Yesterday as I was sorting out the chaos in the escape that I call my room, I got an unexpected call from a good friend to come attend a show of one of my favorite lyricists, Mr. "UMI shine your light on the world" himself, Mos Def. Of course I was hype. Besides, all I'd planned to do was invest in some Ben & Jerry's, watch Factory Girl with my roommate, and chill. So it was a pleasant surprise to find out that Mos was playing the Highline Ballroom (NYC) last night. This would make the second encounter I had with the emcee, the first at the premiere of Cadillac Records last month,
which was courtesy of his fam and my friend KB, as was this night, thanks K. But I digress, my roomie Candice, and I who were fixed on cosmos and ice cream, were now walking into the venue to get ready for the show, but first we met up with KB, and chilled in the dressing room where I immediately noticed an old-school beverage with some new school branding,"Hood Milk"--funniest thing I've ever seen. 
And to follow that, tea of a "different" flavor, "Plantation Mint." Hmmm, all I have to say is conspiracy. After we got finished choppin' it up in the dressing room, 
it was showtime. We headed out to the side of the stage to watch Mos' performance, but were then asked to leave, (long story). Shortly after, we made our way to the main floor where we watched Bk's finest take to the stage sporting his oh-so-cool derby and leather. It wasn't long before Mos shed both, now just baring a white tee, he began to lead us on a journey as the film, The Warriors projected from the background while its legendary characters began theirs as well. The crowd was full of the usual suspects: die hard Mos fans, the pretty girls, "the backpackers," and the white folks from the other side of the picket fence. It's funny because I remember hearing some time ago that 70% of Hip Hop's fan base is white, and I believe all 70% were in that room last night, booing before the show started in hopes to encourage the Bk rhymer to take the stage sooner. And once he was on (which was around 11 p.m.), each bobbed their head, matched his lyrical tounge lick for lick, and were even pumping their fists in the air, at Mos' request of course. 
The vibe was cool, the audience was high--and some, severely drunk, 
but "Mos" importantly the music was good. Mos treated the crowd to some new "ish" including "Ecstatic" and "Twilight Speedball" which was produced by Chad Hugo of The Neptunes. Then there was this crazy uptempo jawn. To my regret, I have no recollection of what it was called. All I know is that he sampled it from a black band named Rio or band de Rio, my apologies, it was loud as hell in there. Just know that the song is a guaranteed ass shaker. The crowd got amped as he spit the opening line from the song, "Magnetic/the flow is athletic." I know I was gettin' my J.B. (James Brown) on. Mos was quite proud too, as he enlightened the crowd, "I'ma show ya'll how much care and effort I put into this." And that he did. Mos gave us a sampling of what's to come, as well as taking us back with some classics, incuding my anthem "Ms. Fat Booty" in which he cued up with the sample first, HOT!!! He had me going as soon as he dropped the line "Ass so fat/ that you could see it from the front"--yes, it was good.
Miss Fat Booty*
But sadly, all good things must come to an end, as did the show. But before we left, Mos dropped this infectious sample by MJ and his brothers, but for the life of me and my roommate, we couldn't figure out what it was. It was beautiful though. Then finally, he sent us off with a heavenly tune, "All I do" by Stevie. It was so perfect and it was just what I needed, just what the crowd felt. Before he and his crew disembarked from the stage, Mos didn't let us forget about his friends playing the background, The Warriors, reassurring the crowd, "They made it home ya'll."
They did Mos, and you made our night. Thank you.
Soooo... the 30th I leave for NY, Brooklyn to be exact. I'll be spending time with my BFF's for a few days and also bringing in the New Year with them. La Star Noir just got her spot in Brooklyn so i'm excited to see the new pad! lol and my girl Angie got her spot in the Bronx....I may have to plan a day trip to kick it out there with her. Heard the train ride is dumb long. no bueno. Anyway New Years i'll be at the Loft party. Check out the flyer below. Its gonna be official i'm most sure of it!
PEEEAAACCEEE! 
I ran across this video that me and my friend Ryan made a few months back out of boredom...theres nothing special to it, we were just fascinated that the webcam actually worked.. lol
hello world....
I am Jared Michael Lowe; first time blogger, long time reader. I wanted to introduce myself to yall before I get into the juice that I'm gonna bring you, via Cash&Caviar. So let me tell yall a lil bout myself: I'm from Philly (insert every philly shoutout here). I just graduated college from Kutztown University in PA (don't worry if you've never heard the school, just know I have a B.A. ok lol) with a degree in PR, and hustling in it as we speak (Tidbit; you'll probably read a lot of my struggle as I will document what is happening).
I so love fashion. It's the inspiration that I so love and seek. A few of my favorite designers are Philip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Band of Outsiders, Proenza Schouler, Thakoon, Victor Glemaud, Givenchy and so on & so forth. I love music. It's the air I breathe. I constantly have my pod on, so if you see me and I pay no attention to you please don't get mad, I'm just in another world. I had this dream since I was little of becoming an independent film producer, so I'm prayin hard to Jesus that it comes ASAP lol.
Ok this is starting to sound like an eharmony profile, so I'll stop. But before I go, please stay connected to Cash&Caviar, because the hustle is only sweet.
Now back to your regularly scheduled program....
So my sistas are coming down to NC around halloween its homecoming for St. Augustine's College which both Jackie and Angela are graduates from and my homecoming at North Carolina Central University. I cannot wait! I love these girls with alllll my heart and I feel like ive been away from them for years. Although its been months at a time it defininitely feels like all of eternity. I want to give a shoutout to KIM and Alexis who are on the hustle in NY and won't be able to make that trip down here. I love you all!
Jackie aka La Star Noir... she's like family. My cousin, my sista my everything. I definitely can't wait to see you and I'm glad you are able to rock with me on this blog ish too. Jackie has been on her grind from graduate school to interning with Vibe and i have never been more proud.
This diva right here... Ms. Angela Brown. I been rockin with her since highschool and she's been more than a inspiration to my life. Her ambition and drive is what i always respected her for. Her craziness too.. she's definitely a character but I love her all the same.
Jerz... this is my QUEEN. *black fist up* She's so knowledgable about our culture, politics whateva. Its good vibes all around and she never hesitates to speak her mind. Actually none of my girls hesitate but its all love.
And this is ME. It wouldnt be complete if i didnt add my picture on here! haha.
Its going on four days and still no internet at my spot...what a bummer! ....
so when its up and running again i'll be sure to update.
:-\
busy week thus far.. tryna get my ish together for school next week. ugh!
I took these pics a few days ago.. ive been in philly for a few weeks helping out my family but anyway with my friends hefty camera i got a chance to take a few shots of philly as we drove around running errands and whatnot. I definitely need to cop me a new camera since the one i have sucks!
Hello world, My name is Blair ..... i don't expect people to know who i am but i used to blog at a site called clipsandkisses.com ... it was a great experience and I wish it could of went further but i guess it was just time to move on. And to work with people who are in different states would seem to be an easy task but not really when the communication has always lacked from the beginning...but furthermore it was a dope experience. I made this blog as a continuation for me to do what i was doing there.. i found that i enjoyed posting .. interviewing new artists on the come up and just keeping the world updated from my eyes. ... So from this blog you will slowly but sure get to know who I am and my views.... and so i present to you all Cash & Caviar ..
