The Nike Sportswear Cinema Tuesday Series started 2009 in a big way this Tuesday by showing a special advanced screening of the much anticipated film NOTORIOUS directed by George Tillman Jr., about the legendary hip hop artist Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace. This screening was definitely the place to be on Tuesday night ( Flo Rida, Macy Gray, and even Sharon Stone were there!), and thanks to the good people at Nike Sportswear M.I.S.S. Crew was in attendance

Presented in conjunction with URB Magazine, the evening started off with DJ sets by MC Lyte and DJ Smiles Davis playing hip hop classics setting the mood and getting the crowd ready to watch the film. NOTORIOUS tells the story about the remarkable rise and all-too-short career of “The Notorious B.I.G.” Jamal Woolard’s portrayal of Biggie shows his journey from Brooklyn street hustler to one of hip hops most talented and successful rappers.

Set against a backdrop of some of the Notorious B.I.G.’s greatest hits and including characters such as Puffy, Lil’ Kim, Faith Evans, and Tupac, this film is a definite must see! NOTORIOUS will be released in theaters this Friday January 16th.

Cinema Tuesdays will be monthly in 2009. For more info on the upcoming schedule check out Nikesportwear.com or film curators Flux.net. Remember tickets are FREE, but an RSVP is a must!

Also, don’t forget to check out the retail store at The Montalbán for all your Nike Sportswear shopping needs. The Spring 09 Nike Sportswear line debuts this weekend. And if you’re in the mood for some customized kicks and want some one-on-one help, check out the NIKEiD Studio upstairs in the theatre’s balcony.

Store hours are:
Wednesday & Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm
Sunday 12pm-8pm

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The best cd I got this year was hands down Santogold’s self-titled album. I listened to it on repeat all day, all night.  It was one of the few albums I could listen to all the way through.  I don’t have a favorite song because I love them all equally.   I finally had a chance to do something about how much I love Santogold.   Urb Magazine is conducting its annual poll and Santogold is nominated in 5 categories: Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Indie Artist of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Video.  Go vote for Santogold! I know I did!

If you want more Santogold check out the new track by Jay-Z feat. Santogold song “Brooklyn (Go Hard)” on her myspace and if you need a referesher on why L.E.S. Artiste should win for best video watch below.

Seems like making short films or videos is the new blogging. The newest video-based website we’ve come across is VIMBY - Video In My Backyard - “a video content company devoted to capturing young lifestyle and culture all over the nation.” They have videos covering music, fashion, cars, travel, action sports and night life. We checked it out and there’s definitely some good content - check out some of our favorites below.

Estelle performing at the Puma store in Soho and discussing her new PUMA line with Christian Soriano of Project Runway fame.

Kid Sister and Janelle Monae after the jump!
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Today marks the release of Hopie Spitshard’s solo debut album The Diamond Dame. The Diamond Dame is 13 original tracks written by Hopie and produced by 6Fingers and features Del the Funky Homosapien, Bambu (Native Guns), Topkat, EyeASage, Kid Static and Smigg Dirtee! The album is great and the ladies and I have been listening to it on repeat at M.I.S.S. Crew HQ. Last week we had the chance to sit down with Hopie to talk about her influences, how she got her start and what it’s like to be a woman rapping in a male-dominated industry.

When did you start rapping and how did you realize you were an MC?
Well I first started rapping at age 11. I wrote my first rap, but it was really bad. Haha. But it all started at Great America - they used to have a karaoke booth where they would record you and give you a tape. So it was three of my friends, we go to Great America, and of course we do TLC “Waterfall” where I’m Left-eye. The rest of it sounded like crap, but when I came on I sounded exactly like her. So I was all, “Oh Shit, maybe I could be a rapper.” Ever since then, I’ve just been writing.

Read the rest of the interview and get an exclusive free download after the jump . . .

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Vivian Host aka Star Eyes (above photo by Ryan Prouty), 29, is the Trouble & Bass Crew’s femme fatale, driving them wild with her tight pink jeans, nasty dance moves, and unexpected mixes (Skream and Three Six Mafia, what?). Alongside T&B crew members Drop The Lime, Passions, and The Captain, she plays raw, dirty bass bangers spanning the spectrum from electro-house to Baltimore club to UK bassline jams, and is equally likely to show up to the party in a panda hat or full-on goth attire. This 14-year DJ veteran was one of first female drum & bass DJs in the U.S., playing raves around the country and as an original member of the B.A.S.S. Crew and Eklektic. She is also half of female tag-team DJ duo Syrup Girls (called “New York’s best-kept secret�? by the New Yorker’s Sasha Frere-Jones) and has DJed all over the world, from the Vans Warped Tour to Cape Town, South Africa. Her vocals appear on tracks from John B (Beta) and Passions (Kitsuné), and forthcoming releases from Curses (Institubes) and Acid Jacks (Trouble & Bass). Star Eyes has been featured in Urb, Trace, Dazed & Confused, and Zink Magazine, and is sponsored by Mishka and Gsus.

Get starry-eyed over Lady Star Eyes after the jumped!

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Oh, if you are a lucky one and are going to be in the sweet, sweet heat of Miami for the Winter Music Conference , check what URB magazine has planned for you! Thursday nights D ‘n B session is looking good to me…whateva your flavor, they have you covered!