I was scrolling through Blackmen’s Magazine this month (with T.I. on the cover) and out of nowhere I see an article with Miami’s own Gil Green. If you don’t know Gil Green, he’s only one of the dopest directors and one hundred percent Made-In-Dade. Aside from this being Miami related, what caught my eye as well was the photography by Adam Reign. Wow, what an incredible job Adam did with this shoot. Colors, contrast and mood was just right. And it was good to see that other people I’ve worked with were part of the shoot also: Amaya Swimwear, Manda (hair) and Sonia Clegg (styling). Many props to everyone involved, the spread came out great! More photos from the shoot after the jump…
Written By DRO | Posted In Video Shoots
Tuesday December 30th 2008, 8:03 pm
Too funny. Shot in Miami at the video shoot for the “Arab Money” remix – Busta is fixin’ to murk NORE on the weight loss tip. And Busta mentioned NORE killing the remix and I gotta agree, he did his thing…
Written By DRO | Posted In Sneakers
Tuesday December 30th 2008, 5:04 pm
The ultra limited Lebron James “Lebron VI” Miami colorway will be coming out tomorrow December 31st at Niketown Miami at The Shops At Sunset Place. Only 23 pairs and will sell for $160. Doors open at 11am at Niketown.
This release is Stop 2 on the Tale of 3 Cities Tour with NYC and L.A. - cities also receiving exclusive colorways of the Lebron VI’s. Coincedently, today is Lebron’s birthday and is celebrating at Karu-N-Y after his game against Dwayne Wade and The Heat.
Niketown
5701 Sunset Dr
South Miami, FL 33143
(305) 740-0121
Written By DRO | Posted In Media Watch
Monday December 29th 2008, 6:34 pm
Funny. I saw this in this month’s issue of URB Magazine (on newsstands now) and I had to scan to share with ya’ll. This is funny because I must’ve interviewed Rick Ross immediately after that said meeting because I just remember Rick Ross saying “We The Best” like 3 or 4 times during that interview I did with him. This was like January of 07.
Either way, URB’s theme for this month is “My Firsts…”, which include various tastemakers’ “firsts” for a variety of topics. And the above was Khaled first “We The Bessssss”.
If you don’t know who Blowfly is, then you must’ve been hiding under a rock since birth. Blowfly (aka Clarence Reid) is one of the true originators of this Miami shit. He actually wrote and produce “Clean Up Woman” by Betty Wright, which is one of my favorite songs and breaks of all time. He’s responsible for alot of the old school Miami soul of yesteryear and is semi-responsible for some of hip-hop’s dopest beats via the art of sampling. Here’s what Blowfly describes himself as on his Myspace:
I am Blowfly (AKA Clarence Reid), the world’s baddest nigga.
I am the original nasty rapper, porno freak and inventor of the Miami Sound. My song “Rapp Dirty” was the first rap song ever. All your favorite hip-hop stars pay my bills when they sample my shit including DMX, Method Man & Redman, Ice Cube, Scarface, Slim Thug, Jurassic Five, Wu Tang Clan, Old Dirty Bastard, Da Brat, Beyonce and P Diddy.
I wrote and produced hits for Betty Wright (Clean Up Woman, GirlsCan’t Do What the Boys can do – now sampled in Beyonce’s “Upgrade U” ), KC & The Sunshine Band and Gwen McRae
Now it’s my turn. My new album (in stores NOW and available for download everywhere) ” Live At THe Platypussery” is the first live record I’ve put out in my 45 year career. We recorded it live in Melbourne, Australia in 2007. !
Written By DRO | Posted In Music
Sunday December 28th 2008, 11:06 am
DJ Khaled featuring Jay-Z, Kanye and T-Pain – Go Hard (remix)
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Written By DRO | Posted In Fashion
Friday December 26th 2008, 2:26 pm
Dope shirt by Rock-It Psyence! Only $25 on their online store and available in other colors. Click here to purchase. Here’s the description:
“…The first official Psyence Project, called HOME TEAM, Its specifically for everybody that reps where their from. These are for my peoples in Miami who rep the 305. The first two designs, for obvious reasons, are Miami-Dade County & 305’s. Home Team 305 Rep Your Hood!…”
The ruler’s back as if he never left. Ghostwridah comes through with his first official release entitled The Ruler’s Back. Independantly strong, this album blends through as a well put together release from the production, to the variety of moods that this album encompasses. Introspection, Swagger, Hip-Hop and Commercial flavors mixed within a 50-minute time frame that the album runs through.
Ghostwridah’s show of confidence and braggadocious demeanor is definitely one of his best qualities and is definitely what puts him in the forefront. With lines like “I’m so fresh that I can’t remember how broke looks…” – you can’t really disagree with me. Guest appearances on The Ruler’s Back are few in between, but Ghostwridah does tap a couple friends for assistance including Shawty Lo, Usher, Paul Wall, Emanny, Malik Yusef and other contributors on various hooks.
Highlights of the album include “Make You A Star” which is a song destined for some kind of mass radio play. It has the makings of a hit record. “All I Know” is arguably the best song that shows what Ghostwridah is about and all about what Ghost knows. Its also the song that I quoted that line above from. Now, “50 Ways” shows Ghost ability to storytell in rhyme form – it really does. And lastly, you have “Dying To Survive” which is a completely unexpected song that can open eyes and can save lives if you really listen to the words. It has a smooth Sade sample and as an added bonus, clips of Barack Obama playing throughout the song where Obama speaks about about hip-hop and the hopes of what direction we as a people could head towards.
Overall, a great effort by Ghostwridah. We could only hope that he continues his choice in versatile production and keeps reaching for original subject matter and song direction.
Written By DRO | Posted In Music, katy perry
Thursday December 25th 2008, 4:48 pm
Katy Perry’s rendition of “White Christmas”
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And check her out while she’s in town at Revolution on April 29th. Tickets on sale now…
Shoe Gallery Miami’s Jordans XX3 Finale Release Photos and Words by David “DRO” Rosario (www.davidrosario.com)
The red searchlights spun around the Downtown Miami skyline and could be seen from afar on the evening of December 23, 2008. The elusive “Finale” (final) colorway of the Jordan XX3’s were on their way to being released at Shoe Gallery. Since news broke about the release, a small group of dedicated sneakerheads made way to Shoe Gallery almost 11 days before the actual release. They set up shop for a camp-out until the sneakers were released on December 23rd. 22 other Jordan brand retailers around the country joined Shoe Gallery in releasing the final colorway of the XX3’s. A total of 529 pairs (23 per store) were sold worldwide, making them ultra-exclusive.
Written By DRO | Posted In Artist Spotlight, Music
Wednesday December 24th 2008, 2:32 am
Fresh off the success of their recent feature on HBO’s Entourage, Basic Vocab calls on Donwill of Tanya Morgan to create the spellbinding smooth joint, “There You Are,” the lead track off their upcoming maxi-single. The maxi-single is a taster for their untitled-sophomore EP, scheduled for 2009 release. The lead track, “There You Are,” captures with a soulful vibe conducted by Basic Vocab platinum-producer Tony Galvin, as MCs Mental Growth and JL Sorell explore the beauty of romance with precise lyrics and personality. The rest of the maxi-single completes the full spectrum of Basic Vocab’s nostalgic soundscapes paired with substantial rhymes: second track unveils the painstaking reality behind politics on “When The Bombs Fall,” ending with the appropriate high-energy party banger, “Come Get With It (Remix),” (original version recently featured on HBO’s Entourage).
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This is definitely one, if not my favorite photo that I’ve ever taken. Me and a wonderful team of people created this timeless shot of Katie posing on the other side of the Miami River in front of the Bank Of America skyscraper in Downtown Miami.
Photographer - DRO Make-Up – Maria Fleita (Bella Make-Up) Styling - Angie Garcia Creative Production – Struck Bikini By – Amaya Swimwear (Lila)
Written By DRO | Posted In Videos
Tuesday December 23rd 2008, 4:27 pm
This album by Nu Jerzey Devil (yes, a Miami resident) has been a long time in the making. One of the coolest dudes in the industry, straight up. His beats are crazy, so its dope to see him step in and push the artistry full speed ahead. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the monstrous single with Lil Wayne “Different Girls”. It was recorded at The Hit Factory in North Miami.
Written By DRO | Posted In Media Watch
Saturday December 20th 2008, 11:20 pm
I’ve missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot…and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that’s why I succeed. –Michael Jordan
Slip-N-Slide’s 15th Anniversary Party at the Hotel Victor in Miami Beach that went down last week. It was an invite-only party so if you were there, props to you for being in the right circle of friends. We hear that the body-painted ladies were one of the highlights. And New TImes mentioned something about baby tigers. Anyways, we didn’t get a chance to go, but we have a couple photos here for your viewing pleasure. Pitbull, DJ Laz, Trina, Keith Sweat, Plies, Shonie, Qwote, Kevin Lyles and even Tocarra made appearances. Yes, Tocarra from America’s Next Top Model. She’s the perfect woman in my opinion. Good lord.
Shout out to Ted for being a staple in Miami hip hop and bringing us so many classic Miami records….
To 15 more years. Photos by Life Lewis. Click below to see them…
Written By DRO | Posted In Videos
Saturday December 20th 2008, 1:31 pm
Some 305 Miami flava on Worldstarhiphop. Angelica Curves is looking off-the-chain in the video here, cars provided by Bowtie South, which is based in the Liberty City area. Looks like it was a dope photoshoot. Shout out to Angelica and to Benhur (aka Sito)…
Written By DRO | Posted In Upcoming Events
Saturday December 20th 2008, 1:02 pm
If you missed her at Power 96’s “Biggest Office Party” – then you can see her at a special encore performance brought to you by 99 Jamz this Sunday (tomorrow) at Cafe Iguana Pines in Pembroke Pines. She’s a talented girl – you need to check her out!
Cafe Iguana Pines
8358 Pines Blvd
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024 Off of Pines Blvd and University Drive
