Photo Of The Week: MJ Altar At The Apollo Theater By Amanda Lopez

The photo was shot in front of the Apollo theatre in NYC. Its a close up shot of an altar dedicated to the King of Pop

It was really moving to see all the people gathered in front of the theatre to pay tribute to one of the greatest musicians of our time.

I can’t believe he’s gone.

That its an altar for MJ. Its unbelievable.

Canon 5D

Although not amongst us, MJ’s music, moves, and swag will live on within us. An ode to Mister Jackson, this is for the night lovers down to rock beats and break necks.

- Leilanie

I Can’t Help It by Miss Omni Media featuring Stella McCartney

A tribute to the man who defined what it meant to be an entertainer. His innovative spirit, style, and persona will live on in our memories forever. RIP Michael Jackson.

~Gee

Fourth Of July by Miss Omni Media on Polyvore.com

fourth of july inspired gear. super cute, a litte flashy, and fit for the occasion.

peace.
Jenessa

Creme’ de la Creme’ by Miss Omni Media on Polyvore.com

I found a photo of Rihanna in this Christopher Kane dress that I absolutely adored and imagined what I’d wear with it.
80’s Purple is my favorite online store to find accessories, which I pulled a lot of these from.

By: Courtney Kai

Nightime pizazz by Miss Omni Media featuring Miu Miu shoes

I’m loving the harem pants and jumpsuits this season. Trend or no trend, they’re hot! They’re perfect for daytime, and in this case, they’re sure to stand out in the night!
-by Magdalene

Lady Behind The Lens-Melina Matsoukas

Ever wonder exactly who it is behind the visionary work of your favorite musical artists? From the stylists to the dancers, there is always a collaboration between the artist and the crew behind the scenes.  Knowing all the hard work it takes to execute, it’s only right that MISS shows some appreciation for one of our favorite music video directors, Melina Matsoukas.

Melina is one of the most demanded music video directors since her work for Snoop Dogg's "Sensual Seduction".

Melina is signed to Black Dog Films and broke onto the scene with Snoop Dogg’s “Sensual Seduction”, Beyonce’s “Greenlight” and Eve’s “Tambourine”. In more of her recent works, Melina has been the eyes responsible for Beyonce’s “Diva”, Lily Allen’s “Not Fair”, Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance”, Ciara’s “Work”, and Ne-Yo’s “Closer”. Outside of music, Melina has also ventured off into film for the cinematography of Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves back in 2006. Make room, Hype Williams because Melina Matsoukas is doing the damn thang!

Giant Step artist Joy Jones is set to drop her album, Godchild, on July 7th, 2009

Upon first listen of Giant Step artist Joy Jones, I realized that this lady is a “Sanger” without all the extraneous bells and whistles. This is no Mariah Carey with all the hand flailing and dramatics. There is a simplicity to her voice without all the vibrato, autotunin’, and “extra extra” that is characteristic of lots of the performers out right now. But this is not to suggest that her voice is bad or boring. Joy Jones, who releases her new album Godchild on July 7th, 2009, is a sonic breath of fresh air.

Joy grew up in the U.S., but moved to London for a while before she eventually settled in L.A. It was in London where she found out about the “broken beat” scene, characterized as electronic music with an syncopated rhythm in 4/4 meter. She met producers Bugz In The Attic, who are a collective of 6 or more DJs specializing in the broken beat of the West London area. She got so close with the producers, that she now calls herself an “honorary ladybug” and even asked Daz-I-Kue to produce most of her upcoming Godchild.

Joy to the world! Joy Jones is a sonic breath of fresh air!

I was able to preview the song “Supernova” (Click to stream) and “Be My Husband” (Click to download) to get a feel for Joy’s sound. FYI, Although Nina Simone also has a track called “Be My Husband”, Joy’s song is NOT the same or a cover of Nina’s version. Out of the two tracks, “Supernova” had a better groove, but both were definitely pleasing. The disc has a bit of jazz, afro-beat, soul, and broken beat, all rolled into one. Joy says: “It is my goal to create impactful music that outlives me”, and we think she is definitely on the right track.

Please visit this Trinidadian beauty at her blog, Past Present Future Perfect, or at her main site, Love Jones Recording.

You can also check out a cool video of “The Joy” on Future Soul Records below:

Review of Claw Money Pop-Up Shop @ Fred Segal Flair

Claw Money is taking over the world! Well, not yet…but last night Claw Money did take over Fred Segal Flair in Santa Monica setting up her Pop Up Shop for the launch of her new limited edition denim tote.

Fred Segal and Claw did a great job of merchandising the shop and giving it a true Claw Money makeover. The Pop Up shop was filled with Claw’s SS09 collection of tees, jewelry, accessories, signature vintage bomber jackets, eyewear, book and of course denim totes. Spray cans and Claw pillows adorned the shelves and finishing off the look of the shop is Claw’s graffitti piece on the back wall of what else, her signature claw. Guests sipped on cocktails by Belvedre Vodka and M&Ms as they shopped the racks that were full of Claw Money hotness!

So if you’re in LA, the LBC, or even the OC, don’t sleep on Claw Money’s goods being here on the West Coast! The Pop Up Shop runs thru July 9th. Remeber Fred Segal Flair Santa Monica is just up the street from the famous Santa Monica boardwalk; you can pick up a new tee and tote, take a ride on the ferris wheel, then go home a happy camper : )

Electrik Red—four strong women who are very comfortable with their sexuality and with what they can bring to the world.

Ever heard that you could pay for school but you could not buy class?  Def Jam has done it again and this time not with one pop star, but four. Naomi, Lesley, Binkie, and Sarah, also known as Electrik Red, released their debut album How To Be A Lady: Vol 1 with the help of producers such as The Dream and Tricky. The four met as backup dancers on Usher’s Confessions tour, and were also featured on Ciara’s video “Like A Boy”, and you can tell if you watch the way they move!

Electrik Red, released their debut album How To Be A Lady: Vol 1 with the help of producers such as The Dream and Tricky.

Fun, fly, and fiesty -Electrik Red got you covered!

Unafraid to flaunt the exterior sexual fantasies often created for and by men (or women), while also harmonizing about the power of the pussy and love, Electrik Red takes on the challenge of eliminating traditional double standards for the sake of many lady peers through song.  It’s a clever vulgarity that rings hit because of songs of the album like “WFY”—in other words we f**k you. “Wonder if you fellas knew the truth/yall don’t f**k us n**ga we f**k you/” as well as song “Devotion” “Lock it on my body boy come in/Ima rock it like a baby in the crib/give you the whole thing not the cliff/now let me feel you under my skin/.”

According to Electrik Red’s Myspace Bio-

“I’d like people to hear four strong women who are very comfortable with their sexuality and with what we can bring to the world,” says Lesley

Download and preview tracks from How To Be A Lady below!

And if it’s the 808’s, booty shake, and baby makin’ that you want, by any means necessary, go out and get it!

Click here for free “Devotion” download

Click here for free “P is for Power” download

Click here for free “9 to 5″ download

Raya Jewelry

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but isn’t that a bit unfair to all of the precious gems out there? If you share this sentiment, M.I.S.S. is here to save the day. Raya jewelry, named for its Thailand-born founder and designer, has recently launched its first collection, consisting of white sapphires, south sea pearls, and precious gems.

Raya Jewelry

Prior to the design and creation of her own jewelry line, Raya was no stranger to working in accessories. In Thailand, her family owned the Viva Gems company. Raya herself then studied jewelry design at GIA in Bangkok and the College of Communication in London. When creating her pieces, Raya drew on her travels and multi-cultural experiences as inspiration. At the risk of looking tacky with such large gems and over-the-top styles, Raya manages to keep each piece classy, never gaudy - a line that can be tricky to toe without crossing.

From the looks of the gold-encrusted collection, it’s clear that Raya is determined to make a name for herself. From the unabashedly blinged-out cocktail rings to drop-pendant necklaces and earrings, each piece is as invigorating as it is one-of-a-kind. For too long the public have been enthralled with homogeneous silver pieces - bracelets and necklaces that all look exactly the same. Let Raya allow you to break the mold and reintroduce color back into your jewelry collection. Take note, though, that Raya Jewelry aren’t costume pieces. They’re investments, created to last lifetimes for your future generations to inherit.

It’s impossible to select one standout piece from Raya’s collection. Each intricately crafted accessory is fabulous in its own way - think of it as traditional jewelry with a worldly twist and injection of color. Raya’s double-stranded necklaces are a welcomed departure from traditional neckwear, but one that’s not too far removed to be dubbed trendy costume jewelry. Colorful drop-pendant necklaces utilize precious gems, drawing any onlooker’s attention to your collarbone (oo la la!). Raya’s bracelets are a sight for sore eyes, whether it’s a honeycomb diamond-plaited bangle (available in a variety of colors) or a cutout cuff. When it comes to earrings, Raya adds her personal flare to the accessory. You’ll be able to find heart-shaped pendant earrings lined in pink gemstones, or hoop earrings complete with diamond-surrounded drop-downs.

Raya Jewelry

Each Raya piece commands adoration and attention, so if you’re shy just beware that donning any accessory from Raya’s collection is a surefire way to signal to onlookers that you’re outgoing (or trying to be)! With the amount of pieces Raya’s churned out for her first collection, there’s no doubt this woman’s a hard worker who’s sure to be around for years to come.

I was fortunate enough to interview B.o.B. back in February for Guerilla Busfare and learned that his least favorite query was “What does B.o.B. stand for?”  With a backronym like that, he was inevitably setting himself up, and later informed me of his official switch to Bobby Ray.  Well, lo and behold, this highly-anticipated “Freshman” of 2009 has just dropped a mixtape of his former vs current alter egos to hold us over until he finally drops his debut album off the Grand Hustle label he shares with another equally conflicted artist, T.I. (remember T.I. vs T.I.P?).

Up-and-comer B.o.B. aka Bobby Ray

Make sure you check for this up-and-comer, whose live shows with full band will take you back to the days when musicians made the show, not hypemen and DJs.

Download the B.o.B. vs. Bobby Ray Hosted by DJ Green Lantern and Don Cannon (Mixtape) or the No DJ Version

M.I.S.S. in the Mix: Wale & 9th Wonder Mixtape: Back to the Feature

D.C. area rapper Wale is causing a commotion with the recent release of his 5th mixtape, presented this time by clothing company LRG. The mixtape, called Back to the Feature, contains production by 9th Wonder (albeit not entirely; there are some cuts produced by Mark Ronson, Cool + Dre, and others) and was mixed by Nick Catchdubs. The graphic on the cover is a reference to the Michael J. Fox movie Back to the Future, and the tracks are peppered with guest appearances like Lady Gaga, Talib Kweli, Peter, Bjorn, + John, female emcee Jean Grae, and Black Thought of the Roots, just to name a few.

Tracklisting for Wale & 9th Wonder Mixtape: Back to the Feature

The mixtape comes as a surprise to most of Wale’s fans, as they were expecting his next release to be his debut studio album (tentatively named Attention Deficit) under the tutelage of Mark Ronson for Allido/Interscope Records. There was some label confusion last May when news broke that Wale entered into a new agreement with Roc Nation, which is the record label, management and music publishing company founded by Jay-Z. Wale was even spotted wearing a Rocafella chain. Turns out, According to the rapper’s manager Dan Weisman (via Allhiphop.com), Wale is MANAGED by Roc Nation and his company Elitaste, but is SIGNED (AKA has a recording contract) with Allido/Interscope. I don’t know how that works, but it seems like it could either be a licensing/branding nightmare, or an ingenious construction of royalty loopholes by Wale. Oh, and the chain belonged to a dude named Young Chris, Wale’s friend, who IS legitimately with The Roc.

Young Chris, Wale's friend, who IS legitimately with The Roc.

Click on the following link for a free download of Wale & 9th Wonder: Back to the Feature, courtesy of Wale. If the link expires, please visit www.walemusic.com for another download link.

Up-and-commer Miss Azealia Banks is freshly signed to Klash City Records.

With Lil’ Kim autotunin’ it up about sexy Myspace pics on her latest single “Download”, and Trina’s latest “Single Again” making less than a splash,  it’s safe to say that the hardcore female rapper  scene is in need of a shock to the heart, stat! Look no further than up-and-comer Miss Banks. Like Lil’ Kim, this MC comes in a small package, so small that the pint-sized diva is still in high school! Being only 17, however, hasn’t stopped her from firing out  an arsenal some of the filthiest, wittiest rhymes we’ve heard in a while, putting her on par with industry foulmouths like Amanda Blank.

Her sound, a brilliantly eclectic electro-clash, fits right in with the gritty Baltimore-club-revival of the moment.

Freshly signed to Klash City Records, Miss Banks started dropping her self-produced songs via her Myspace page, and it wasn’t long before a couple of crucial webmags started singing her praises. Soon, Miss Azealia Banks found her music on blast on major publications such as The Fader. Her sound, a brilliantly eclectic electro-clash, fits right in with the gritty Baltimore-club-revival of the moment. Her musical influences, from sexy R&B divas to indie rock, are evident with her releases - her downloadable track “Seventeen” has Miss Banks spittin’ about coming into her own as a woman with attitude over indie dance group Ladytron’s hit of the same name.  We would give you a peek at some of the lyrics but… well, our Mommas read this site sometimes! Give “Seventeen” a listen here though, as well her wickedly hilarious rhymes on “Gimme A Chance” . (Yes, she did just say what you think she said!)

Most recently, the Harlem native, has been garnering attention via her appearances on East Village Radio, and her buck-wild booty poppin’ shows at several NYC hotspots. Be sure to stay on the lookout for her, because her beats, style, and playful hardcore rhymes are definitely about to jumpstart the industry’s flatline!