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EXCLUSIVE: Meet DJ ECool The People’s Favorite DJ

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EXCLUSIVE: Meet DJ ECool The People’s Favorite DJ

DJ Ecool is probably one of the most multi-faceted DJ’s taking the urban industry by storm. Along with being an impeccable turntablist, you can also refer to him as an accomplished Producer, Actor, emcee, as well as a Comedian.

His music endeavors have led him to collaborate with the likes of artists including Ludacris, Doug E. Fresh, D’Banj, WizKid, and many others.

Traveling across the nation, and even overseas to connect with different masses and showoff his notable technique for blending Afrobeats with Hip-Hop, Pop, EDM, & top 40, Cool can successfully say he’s been quite busy this year. His social media following has increased his presence online, bringing more fans who catch wind of DJ ECool’s vivacious sound to the dance floor where he’s currently rooted– Atlanta, holding residencies at Lions Lounge, Elleven 45, & Eden Lounge. Recently, he dropped of a collab featuring Caribbean artists Danagog and Selasi titled “Give Dem”. The vibe is very reminiscent of his native roots and has been making noise in the Spotify playlists.

HYPFRESH’s own Niyah Nel had the opportunity to chat with DJ Cool and get a little deeper into his artistry. Tune in below for their dialogue:

Where are you originally from and how did your environment influence your creativity coming up?

I’m originally from Nigeria and my environment is a big influence in my music because i was raised there and it molded my musical tastes and ambitions over the years.

Was music something you’d say you gravitated to early on, being that you’re more than a DJ?

Yes, mainly because my family is musically inclined. I knew it was something that I was going to be involved in from an early age; the music industry as a whole rather than just being a DJ.

Talk about your roots and how you approach your music because of it.

My upbringing is based heavily on culture and as an African, culture comes way before anything else which in return creates the richness of the music and finds culture playing heavily into the sounds.

What are some of things that people would say are distinctive about DJ ECool and his sound?

I’m a very vibrant person. I love to exert a lot of energy when I work. When people hear my music, including the new single “Give Dem”, they know it’s built around high energy.

How does social media impact your craft?

Social media is a major factor for me. Social media allows you to stay on top of and insert yourself into trends happening online which I in turn use to elevate my career. I’ve actually created my own trend recently which is the check it out!

What type of music genres do you blend and how do you interact with your audience through that sound?

I pretty much blend all genres…I love diversity, whether it’s hip-hop, pop, rock, afro beats, dancehall, reggae. It all gives me energy and I transfer that energy to the people.

Talk about your latest track “Give Dem” featuring Danagog x Selasi

“Give Dem” is pretty much an Afro-Caribbean merge. The record was originally supposed to be DJ ECool feat Danagog but then I thought to record the song in Selasi’s studio. Everyone vibed in the studio, one thing lead to another and Selasi was on the song.

Can we expect more music from DJ ECool the artist this year?

Yes you will be hearing more very soon. I’ve been back in the studio working.

How can fans reach you?

facebook.com/djecool

instagram.com/djecool

snapchat.com/p/djecool

twitter.com/djecool

…much love

Here’s The Scientific Method Behind Bow Wow’s Fake Stunting

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Here’s The Scientific Method Behind Bow Wow’s Fake Stunting

Shad Moss, a.k.a Bow Wow, continued his Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta promo tour this week with an appearance in Hot 97’s Ebro in the Morning. And to our surprise, Moss addressed this week’s private jet incident and subsequent jokes in the form of the #BowWowChallenge. According to Moss, everyone should be able to gain some insight on the incident by watching his upcoming We TV series.

During the interview, Moss states, “I took the Greyhound here this morning,” joking at the top of the interview. When addressing the private jet confusion, Moss suggests that there’s more than meets the eye. “I love it because people don’t understand the scientific method to my madness,” he said. “They really don’t understand the scientific method to my madness. Number one, I’m about to have the biggest show on We TV, period. Period. I’m saying that right now.”

But to fully understand the this “tactic,” Moss alludes to viewing his new show. “You gotta just watch the show,” he said. “Everything is for the show.”

As for the jokes and memes Moss is unbothered. “It doesn’t affect me, it doesn’t affect the women, it doesn’t affect the bank, it doesn’t affect anything,” he said. “I feel like people who react to certain things, I feel like that’s how they would react if it was on them.” Moss credits his tough skin to the “relentless” group chat jokes with Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, so being the subject of jokes doesn’t bother him.

To see the interview in full, visite here.

The series Moss is promoting, Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta, premieres May 25th. Stay tuned for more updates and to get a good laugh, check out the best memes from the #BowWowChallenge.

Jimi Hendrix: The Legend That Lives On

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Jimi Hendrix: The Legend That Lives On

The fascination surrounding Jimi Hendrix continues to stick in popular culture to this day. His radical rendition of “Star-Spangled Banner” alone remains a staple in the rock genre, while the rest of his catalog is regarded as a medley of new styles and innovative musical techniques. Not only did this lay the foundation for a number of new music genres, but Hendrix’s music also encouraged audiences to think about the role race plays within music.

In 2013, director John Ridley released Jimi: All is by My Side, a biopic that explored the guitarist’s life and reignited the love affair music fans have with him. Just last year, Jimi Hendrix even received his own slot machine in the NetEnt Rock’s Trilogy, which also includes Guns N’ Roses and Motorhead installments.

Online casino operator bgo hosted an intimate West London concert to celebrate the release of the Jimi Hendrix slot, complete with iPad stations featuring the game on their site. Tribute acts from around the UK came together to perform Hendrix’s best and most beloved tracks at the bgo event in front of a large audience, which just goes to show how popular the musician remains.

Jimi Hendrix’s impact on the world is so significant that it is easy to forget that his career only lasted four years. Still, to become one of the most influential guitarists in history in such a short amount of time is an achievement in and of itself. Hendrix pushed music further in four years than any musician before him, and it seems that it all came naturally to him.

Even the equipment he used throughout his career was unorthodox yet groundbreaking, and it wasn’t long before the wah-wah and Octavia guitar pedals gained popularity. Hendrix managed to transform classic blue riffs into dreamy, cosmic melodies like those in “Purple Haze” and “1983… (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)”, inspiring the likes of The Edge of U2 and Jack White. In fact, many current hard rock musicians still regard songs like “Voodoo Chile” as unprecedented pieces in their genre.

Still, his influence is by no means restricted to rock as Hendrix has even been credited with the invention of rap. He was the first to ‘scratch’ a vinyl record, which can be heard in 1967’s “Are You Experienced”, and then in 1969 he released “Doriella Du Fontaine”, a 13-minute spoken-word poem featuring Jalal Mansur Nuriddin. By the late 60s, Hendrix was single-handedly deconstructing boundaries between black audiences, black musicians and rock, cementing the idea that anyone was free to sound like or enjoy any music they enjoyed.

By the end of his career, Hendrix had become a true rock star. He played guitar with his teeth, he smashed his instruments in the middle of sets and even set them on fire. The era of rock had well and truly begun, and Hendrix was the one pulling all the boundaries around him down.

Now, decades after his death you will still hear Jimi Hendrix’s music played and praised everywhere from clubs to festivals. You can watch the numerous documentaries exploring his short life, or play his NetEnt slot at spingenie where you can get 50 free spins or at magical vegas, home to well over a hundred slots. Truly, Hendrix is a legend that will continue to live on for years to come.

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Romeo Santos is The New Face of FADER’s First Diaspora Issue

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Romeo Santos is The New Face of FADER’s First Diaspora Issue

In this cover story, writer Marlon Bishop and photographer Rose Marie Cromwell meet “The King of Bachata,” Romeo Santos — one of the most influential musicians in the Western Hemisphere and CEO of Roc Nation Latin.

Santos discusses his multicultural upbringing with first-generation Dominican and Puerto Rican immigrant parents and creating a revolutionary and internationally recognized sound born out of his love and loyalty for bachata. He talks about refusing to assimilate into U.S. pop culture or stick to Latin Pop, and his plans instead to create something in between and entirely new.

On his cultural identity:

“I’m just a Latino that’s very Americanized, that’s the best way I have to word it. I feel like I don’t speak perfect English, I don’t speak perfect Spanish. But when I’m able to mix it as Spanglish, that’s the closest to perfection for me.”

On first hearing bachata music, and revolutionizing its aesthetic:

“I just fell in love with the production. I was like, ‘Wow this is dope.’ At that time, bachata did not have a great reputation. If anyone liked it, it wasn’t cool to brag about it. But I didn’t know that. When I got that information, it was too late, I was already in love with the genre. We came with a different vibe. We had Yankee hats. Before people even listened to our music, they said, ‘These guys aren’t bachateros, they are rappers or something, what is this?”

On becoming Romeo Santos to overcome his insecurities as a teenager:

“I couldn’t even speak to the crowd, that’s how shy I was. I was so skinny, I guess puberty didn’t kick in the way it should have, and I had a total lack of confidence. One day I realized that if I didn’t become a different person on stage, it just wasn’t going to work. I just used what I knew what I had to offer, and my friends always said I was funny. So I created this character, who was this funny, seductive guy, who could maybe come across a little bit arrogant. Latin men get that label a lot, the seducer. To some extent I feed people what they want to be fed, and it works for me.”

On his advice to artists:

“I tell artists they need to do what’s real to them. I do bachata. When I worked with Usher or Drake, I brought them into my world. I’m sending the message I’m not interested in crossing over. I want you to cross over into my world.”

Checkout the FADER’s full interview here.

EXCLUSIVE: Meet ARLO The Man of Mystery

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EXCLUSIVE: Meet ARLO The Man of Mystery

Who’s ARLO?

Think Adele’s pop appeal, mixed with Maxwell’s crooning soul and a dab of nostalgia that brings you back into the 80’s Alt-Pop scene. This 24-year-old artist is unique to say the least, and his music is certainly a reflection of his personality. ARLO represents the very authenticity we love from artists; amid the grime and trap influences we’re used to hearing form the UK these days, ARLO provides a refreshing change of pace. Fueled by his songwriting and vocal abilities, his affinity for storytelling is what posits him as one of the greatest artists this generation will experience.

He just released his first single, “Ivory,” back in April and it already has nearly 60k plays on Soundcloud. When asked about the underlying message of the track, ARLO states that “Ivory is about the feeling of constantly being let down and disappointed. It’s me promising myself that I won’t be heartbroken any more – “you won’t find my heart at home anymore”.

Now only a month later, he’s back with his appropriately titled follow up single, “Shake the Room.” Even if you’re not a fan of Pop, ARLO’s incendiary sounds will be sure to make a believer out of the most reluctant of listeners. Don’t take my word though, hear what the man himself had to say about his music, the state of the industry, and his love for Roast Lamb…
Meet ARLO The Man of Mystery-1

Q: Your vocals are unique and gripping. How did you come to find your voice?

A: I’ve always had a weird voice. My actual talking voice is weird my friends say I sound like a cross between Marge Simpson and Kermit the frog. Luckily it doesn’t sound like that when I sing. I discovered my singing voice quite late – I’ve always had a passion for music though.

Q: If you could describe your sound in 3 words, what would they be?

A: Honest/ Heartfelt/ Goes straight for the Jugular.

(No one ever actually answers in three words, but we’ll take it!)

Q: Are you a believer in genre bending? It seems to be happening a lot these days.

A: I think it’s so hard not to these days. We listen to so much music and we’re influenced by so much. I like to think I make pop-alternative music but I’ve got a soulful voice – so I’m crossing three different genres with one record.

Q: What was your reaction to how well “Ivory” was received? You dropped it not even a month ago and it’s already creating a buzz.

A: It’s been great. It’s been really well received. The feedback has been really positive. It’s a real honest track and I’m glad it’s resonating with people.

Q: What is the concept of the track?

A: “Ivory“ is about hiding your heart away. It’s me making a pact with myself that I won’t allow myself to get hurt anymore.

Q: What artists influenced your music the most?

A: Adele, Adele…did I say Adele? She can do no wrong in my mind. I’ve loved her since I heard her on Myspace. I’m a big Tears for Fears fan. I love Terence Trent D’arby. “Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby” is a work of art. Even though I wasn’t alive when the album came out. I feel like it’s the soundtrack to my life. I [also] love Kanye West and Coldplay.
Meet ARLO The Man of Mystery-2

Q: You seem absent from social media? What’s the story behind your absence?

A: No reason. I’m not the biggest fan of it. I’m a very private person. I prefer meeting people in person. I do like observing things on social media – it’s a good way to keep tabs on people!

Q: What was the moment like for you when you decided that music would be your career?

A: Liberating – I’ve always been super passionate about music. I guess I was probably scared to put myself out there.

Q: Do you have any talents outside of singing?

A: Hmmmmm. I make a mean roast lamb!!

Q: What’s in store for the rest of 2017?

A: More Music! My first live show!

Q: Any advice or tips for upcoming artists?

A: I always say the buck starts with you. You have to be that match to start the fire!
ARLO describes ’Shake The Room’ as being about, “losing confidence in yourself, not trusting your gut and allowing others to control your future”. His poignant lyrics outline this point with a laser point accuracy, showing his defiance, singing, “I don’t need your reverence, I don’t need your approval”. Both singles, “Ivory” and “Shake The Room” are simply teaser tracks for what he’s going to be releasing over the summer. Look out for new music and keep up with ARLO on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

South Carolina Native Nick Grant is Reawakening Real Hip-Hop

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South Carolina Native Nick Grant is Reawakening Real Hip-Hop

South Carolina Native Nick Grant is Reawakening-1
On May 3rd, The Heineken Green Room welcomed South Carolina native Nick Grant, signee of Culture Republic and Maryland raised /Brooklyn based rapper, singer and producer KAMAU to perform at Philadelphia’s Kung Fu Necktie alongside DJ Kitty Cash. Nick Grant’s affinity for lyrical content, storytelling and authoritative vocal delivery is unparalleled in todays rap scene. But, one of the phrases he insisted for his call and response was “Real Hip Hop.”

During an interview with the South Carolina native, Nick Grant defined what real hip hop was to him.

“Real hip hop is talking about your neighborhood and the conditions of your neighborhood. Real hip hop is having a message in your music. Real hip hop is caring about the basic principles, including the DJ’s, MC’s, beatbox, graffiti. Caring about the elements, caring about the culture, caring about Big Daddy Kane, caring about those that came before you. By all means, I’m not against the idea of having fun. I love rap and I fall victim of the rhythms too but real hip hop is caring about the culture and being passionate. Its all these things man. That’s what I embody. So that’s the reason I got into this business. The day I don’t do that, then what’s my purpose? If I’m not trying to be the greatest. And to be the greatest you have to know all the stuff. You have to do the research, you have to do everything, so that’s my job as an artist and that’s what real hip hop is to me.”

Music critics would agree that hip hop took a turn from the initial blueprint and the underlying basis of it’s origins, but Nick had a slightly different perspective of hip hop’s evolution.

Its always been trends, it’s just at an all time high right now. We know what this thing is based on. Its not even that it made a turn because to be at the top and at the tipping point of this culture, you have to talk about something. Kendrick Lamar who is at the tipping point and selling all these records, is one of the ones with the most influence but he’s also a real MC. Same with J Cole or Big Sean. Same with all these guys, Jay-Z, Nas, they are all at the tipping point of this culture. I hate not to put Nas and Jay-Z in the same sentence, but at the end of the day, they represent real hip hop. They are a heavy influence because they care about the graphics, their culture and what’s around them.

Speaking of some of hip hop’s all time greatest artists, when asked which artists inspired him, Grant expressed that he would attribute his inspiration to some of the hip hop’s ground breaking artists that still hold the crown to this day.
South Carolina Native Nick Grant is Reawakening-2

“I wouldn’t say Kendrick and Cole inspired me because at the time I was coming up they didn’t exist, but I mean, they inspire me now. In regards to who inspired me on my rise, it’s fair to say we all had the same influences coming up, including Jay-Z, Nas, 2Pac, Biggie, Andre 3000, Erykah Badu, OutKast, Rakim, Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, and the list goes on.”

While speaking to him about hip hop’s evolution and asking him what his feelings were towards modern rap artists including people such as Lil Yachty, Grant again took a different approach and expressed his outlook stating, “I love Yachty, I love Uzi. I don’t even know why people go so hard on them. I love all of them. I mean we know what this thing is based on and I just say let them have fun man, leave them alone and let them enjoy their success. They are feeding their families and all doing different things for themselves, and I can only imagine because at some point you just begin to sound like a hater and that’s something that I’ve never been. I know what I grew up on and I love that, I prefer that, but they aren’t speaking to people that’s not their age. They are speaking to people who are their age and going through the same things as them. So I mean, just let them kids live, let them have fun.”
South Carolina Native Nick Grant is Reawakening-3
In terms of his own career, Nick Grant gave some powerful insights on the entire structure of the rising process of an artist, stating, “slow and steady wins the race.”

“I think I have a smooth sailing career. I have come to terms and grips with that. When everyone else is high, my incline is still on the way up but it’s a slow pace. I look at it as an elevator versus taking the stairs. You take an elevator, you get their faster, but there’s no foundation. If the elevator drops, its over with. But with the stairs, if I fall down one flight, Im cool. I can get right back up and climb right back up because there is foundation there. So for me man, that’s how I look at it. I mean even though its slow paced and I get frustrated at times, its like I know they are nowhere near better than me, and that’s just the MC in me, but I can never say what this man or this person deserves, I just have to work, live in my truth and keep working so I can be number one. Because I’m going to be here. Ima stand the test of time whether anybody knows it or not. “

South Carolina Native Nick Grant is Reawakening-4
Lastly, the MC, Nick Grant shared with us what we should expect next from him.

“I’m working on two projects. One with DJ Drama and Gangsta Grillz before my album drops. I’m dropping another album called Sunday Dinner on Thanksgiving. I’m working on Thanksgiving but we will see”.

If you don’t know, you know now. Listen to Nick Grant below!

HYPEFRESH Music Video Countdown

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HYPEFRESH Music Video Countdown

HYPEFRESH GOES LIVE WITH ITS SIXTH WEEK OF IT’S MUSIC VIDEO COUNTDOWN FOR 2017.

Week 6 is a collaboration between Hypefresh’s “H Radar” to feature our top 5 best emerging/independent artists ranging in various genres. Jacob Latimore, G4SHI, Jessie Reyez and more.

Subscribe now with HYPEFRESH here:

. Website: http://hypefreshmag.com/ hypefreshmag/ (Like) Twitter: https://twitter.com/hypefreshmag (Follow) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypefreshmag/ (Follow)

May the 4th Be With You: Today Marks Star Wars Day

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May the 4th Be With You: Today Marks Star Wars Day

Today (May 4) marks “May the Fourth be with you,” the official “holiday” honoring George Lucas and Star Wars.

According to ABC News, the pun was first used back in 1979 with Britain’s Conservative Party congratulating Margret Thatcher in print for taking the prime minister spot that day.

Take the time today to watch a Stars movie today, and be prepared for the next film, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which is set to release Dec. 15.

A U-Shaped Building Could Be Coming to NYC

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A U-Shaped Building Could Be Coming to NYC

Futuristic innovations just keep coming and coming. Flying cars are starting to become a thing, Google and Facebook have brought up the use of virtual reality and augmented reality.

Now, we may be seeing a newly shaped concept for buildings: A U-shaped skyscraper. Crazy huh?! But, where will this new building be? Well, no other than New York City. The city of big dreams.

This new 4,000 foot long building concept was created by Oiio studio; this is truly history in the making.

The Air Jordan 1 Retro Takes Us Back To The Beginning

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The Air Jordan 1 Retro Takes Us Back To The Beginning


For more information, visit here.

IKEA Lovers We Have Apparel for You

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IKEA Lovers We Have Apparel for You

Yup, an IKEA FRAKTA dad cap now exists and it’s all thanks to who else but Los Angeles-based labels Pleasures and Chinatown Market. Not long ago, Balenciaga reimagined the iconic 99-cent bag as a $2,145 USD luxury tote. The Swedish furniture giant responded to the copycat iteration with a humorous ad detailing how to spot an original IKEA FRAKTA bag. Twitter caught wind immediately and called out Balenciaga for the expensive rip off of the IKEA Frankta bag that retails for $0.99 and the best college freshman move-in bag to carry all of your school necessities to your dorms.

Now, after introducing a Moroccan footstool-inspired design earlier this year, Demna Gvasalia and Balenciaga have turned their attentions to the aforementioned FRAKTA. This isn’t just any tote, however. As you might expect, Gvasalia has put a luxurious spin on the original, retaining its signature blue look while ditching the polypropylene in favor of premium leather and Italian construction. Gvasalia has also added a couple of functional details, including black fabric lining, an interior pocket, a key ring lanyard, and a zippered closure at the top.

IKEA Lovers We Have Apparel-2

If that price is too high for you there is a reasonable price IKEA item that you may want to get your hands on. The streetwear duo have transformed the bright-blue polypropylene accessory into a $38 USD hat for the 2017 spring/summer season. I know what you’re thinking, the concept is such a strange idea but it’s executed pretty damn well, to say the least. The hat looks pretty comfortabl ;there are holes on top so that we can keep calm and vent off the steam when being mind-blown. It even has a ‘IKEA’ written on it!

Do you think that if they were to make more products such as shirts, pants, sneaker, etc. would you want to cop just for the fashion part of it? It’s always fun to be different.

Check out the photos above and view an accompanying ad below. Stay tuned for more details and expect the cap to drop at Pleasures and Chinatown Market’s official websites.

Musical.ly reportedly partners with Apple Music

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Musical.ly reportedly partners with Apple Music
Musical.ly reportedly partners with Apple Music (2)

According to Recode, Musical.ly has partnered with Apple music for its music catalog.

What’s Musical.ly? Well, it is an application that allows users to create and share their own music videos, using snippets of songs.

In this new deal, Musical.ly will promote Apple’s paid service to its users and will allow paying Apple Music subscribers to listen to full songs on the app.

This new situation however did not replace the application’s current music distributor 7digital.

iPhone 8, iPhone 7s, iPhone X, or iPhone Edition?

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iPhone 8, iPhone 7s, iPhone X, or iPhone Edition?

In the Apple community there have been rumors circulating on what Apple’s latest phone will look like, when it will be released and what new features we should expect. While some of the iPhone fanatics may be disappointed in some of the updates, there’s a reason behind it all.

One of the biggest changes we should expect according to Ming-Chi Kuo, a reputable Apple prediction analyst, is the change in the entire hardware display of the phone. Instead of an LCD display screen, apple is expected to change to a 5.8” OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) display screen which essentially guarantees the elimination of the home button. Imagine the entire iPhone being touch glass screen?

iPhone 8, iPhone 7s, iPhone X, or iPhone Edition (2)

Aside from the all glass body and frame, the camera quality is expected to be exceedingly greater than it has and lastly the next revolution of iPhone is anticipated to be completely wireless.

However, with good news also comes bad news. Due to this new feature, the release date is also expected to be pushed back, becoming more of a winter (November) release as opposed to their standard Fall (August/September) release. In addition to a later release date, there may also be some concerns with the phone being solely wireless. Some iPhone 7 owners have complained that the wireless headphone feature was already a hassle, limiting their ability to listen to music and charge the phone at the same time or having to buy an additional attachment piece allowing them to do both or even use regular, non-iPhone 7 headphones. So imagine what it would be for both the headphone and wireless port to be eliminated?

Watch the video below as a predicted preview of what the new iPhone release may look like.

Nonetheless, these are all expected rumors, nothing for sure set in stone, so we’ll just have to patiently wait for what innovative ideas and features Apple will incorporate in their next radical apple iPhone prodigy design.

Chi Modu: The Man Behind Some Of Hip-Hop’s Most Iconic Moments

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Chi Modu: The Man Behind Some Of Hip-Hop’s Most Iconic Moments

For the Nigerian – American photographer Chidu Modu, imagery and illustration goes beyond showing a lifestyle; it is about telling a unique story that brings the viewer closer to the truth. From photographing legendary artist like Tupac, Biggie and Nas to exploring the world and documenting the daily life of Yemen and India, Chi has undoubtedly created a unique lane for himself with a body of work that posits him in the highly sought after legendary lane.

It all began at The Source where Chi maneuvered his way through the hip-hop scene as the photo director in the 90’s. Chi explained, “I started with Source in 1990 when it was really starting to bubble up and get bigger. I went to the office on a tip that they were looking for people to work for them. When I got to the office, it was a really nice energy and buzz. For me, they were really doing something important for that time and I wanted in.”

Contrary to the “normal” career paths of a first generation American growing up in a Nigerian household, Chi’s unorthodox and nontraditional career choice was indeed a risk well taken. “I had a very American experience, but I was still raised in a Nigerian house. When I was younger, the pressure for first generation American kids with Nigerian parents was even more. There was no artist to look up to and show your parents as an example because these guys did not exist yet. It was really on us to break what our parents know.“

“People ask me all the time what is the difference between then and now. For me, things were a little more fun then because we were groundbreaking. Now the ground has been broken and you’re not really going to impress me with a fancy car or a private jet, because I have already seen it. Back then; even getting a Mercedes was a big deal. We appreciated it more because it was harder on the come up. The music is reflective of that too.”

But this is also why Chi feels that the landscape surrounding hip-hop affects how photographers capture the artist. While Chi is known mostly for capturing Nas in his bedroom at the age of 17 in Queens bridge and Method Man getting his hair braided at his girlfriend’s house in Staten Island, photographers are not gravitating towards the idea of capturing artist in intimate settings. Chi explained, “People are best in photographs when they are really true to who they are. These days, some artists are more about their brand than who they are. But, brands don’t live. People live. Even within your brand you have to let some of who you are out. Look at Tupac, he is vulnerability and strength. That’s why he stays. It can’t just be every picture at the after party tossing money and opening a bottle. That’s actually boring. You have to give more to keep your audience’s attention.”

Chi saw a void of authenticity and visual collateral early in the game. While he understood the importance of documenting the history of hip-hop, he didn’t realize just how impactful his images would be. “It’s crazy because at the time we were perceived as the bad kids, so it is amazing to see hip-hop be able to impact the world and be apart of pop culture. And I travel and see it first hand, so that is definitely one of the more shocking things. Because when you work, you work in a bubble so you don’t really know how it’s affecting the world until you move.”

After decades of using his craft as a way to keep moments alive, relevant and nostalgic, Chi reminds people of the importance of visual documentation. “I knew that 20 years later, that is when my work would really matter to people. I knew that I could shoot it for a magazine but it would eventually become old and after old comes iconic.”

For more on Chi and his book Tupac Shakur Uncategorized make sure you visit his website.

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