Politics: “This is real and not for play”!!!

Today is the Big Day at the Democratic Convention in Denver and I'm pretty sure Barack is gonna give yet another Inspirational Speech. Here at Manifest Destitute we have been endorsing the Illinois Senator for quite a while and while we are quite serious about the future of our country this blog is solely for your entertainment. So without wasting anymore time let's go on and turn the party on while supporting our presidential candidate!!! Oh yes....here come the balloons and the confetti. Anyways, Kudos to producer and fashion icon TI$A for creating the most serious electorate anthem of well....the history of this country!!! With Cameos from Kanye West, Jay Z, Chris Brown, Fab 5 Freddy, and Shepard Fairey, who really needs the Hollywood Liberals anymore. Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn please step aside, there's a new Sheriff in the Hills. So, If you are at home in front of the TV tonight please stop watching Reality TV, and tune in for what's Real....this is history in the making people. No Joke.

TI$A - Vote Obama

Video: Kanye West is a bear....good morning!

First a Muppet now a Bear. At this rate Kanye's about to fill the shoes Mr. Rogers left in the heart of all children. In any case the latest video from his album "Graduation" features a fantastic animation by Takashi Murakami, an artist often compared to Andy Warhol for his use of color and his understanding of pop culture. Over the years Murakami has gained notoriety for his bold anime-looking illustrations and a collaboration done with Louis Vuitton. At this point it's become pretty much a standard for Kanye to bring us the best when it comes to art, fashion and design. I wonder what's next on his plate...a clothing line called "Pastelle"? Maybe.

Lazy Sunday: I say Captain...You say Wot!!! (aka when Hip Hop met Punk)

There is no denying that Hip Hop has been an influential force in our culture over the past 30 years. Magically though, somewhere in the 80's Hip Hop made an impression on an odd group of Punks and gave them the inspiration to give it a try of their own. Captain Sensible's "WOT" though almost a Rap Parody, it still labeled in Europe as an early hip hop classic. The Ex-Dammed singer was not however the only UK Punk to get the Hip Hop fever. Malcolm Mclaren of Sex Pistols fame, made a record collaborating with the "World's Famous Supreme Team" DJs (Hey DJ being their legacy) as well as graphically setting the tone of the record with art work by Grafitti Legends Keith Haring and Dondi White. At the time when Mclaren crafted "Duck Rock" though, it had been a couple of years since The Clash had released "Radio Clash" in which video one can actually spot Futura 2000 spray painting across New York City. The Influence of Hip Hop is quite obvious in this record, and their dedication was later reflected when Grandmaster Flash was asked to be the opening act for the Band. Futura and the Clash would later go into partnership again when they produced Futura 2000's "Escapades".

But perhaps the greatest document of the partnership between genres was Blondie's "Rapture" which united the vibrant Downtown scene to the new sounds coming from Uptown. In the song not only does Debby Harry do her own rapping, but she also gives shout outs to her new friends from the hip hop scene (Flash and Fab 5 Freddy). Perhaps the Video is even better, as we actually get to see some of the Artists do Cameos (including the gifted Jean-Michel Basquiat and other Lower East Side scenester). In some ways, the influence between Punk and Hip Hop was actually reciprocated when bands like ESG and Liquid Liquid were sampled by hip hop artists and most memorably when Grandmaster Flash sampled the Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love" (which in itself was a record influenced by Hip Hop). Although these were the conception of a very special time in our culture, the legacy that Hip Hop left on Punk Artists of that era was an important platform for the popularity of the genre in years to come. Here are some of those memorable moments...because it's Lazy Sunday and Lazy Sunday is always classic!

Listen: Captain Sensible - WOT


Listen: Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Gals


Listen: Blondie - Rapture


Listen: The Clash - Radio Clash


Listen: The Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love

Music: The Olympics are...Great Stuff!!!

I hope by now everyone has caught the Olympic fever in some way or another. And If you still don't know about Michael Phelps and his Major Olympic Bling, then you're probably hiding in a cave in Afghanistan. Seriously, 8 medals...that's insane!!! Well...what better way to celebrate the accomplishments of Olympians than by sharing some sweet sweet music. Great Stuff out of Germany has recently released a compilation titled "Great Summer Games Stuff" to celebrate the event and bring awareness to Human Rights. The Compilation includes 24 anthems by 24 artists from 24 different countries. For all those that are into tech-house and all the Minimal/Maximal stuff, then this compilation is right up your alley. The compilation has actually gotten some real good reviews by people like Laurent Garnier, Tocadisco and Adam Freeland so you know it's gotta be good. "Great Summer Games Stuff" is now available on Beatport and on CD via Amazon. (To Listen to the tracks click on the links)

Listen: Great Summer Games Stuff CD 1
Listen: Great Summer Games Stuff CD 2

ps: Thanks again to Carmine P. Filthy @ Low Life Inc. for the package!!!

Lazy Sunday: No Tears for the people of the night!

It was 1977 and although originally a San Francisco band, Tuxedomoon's electronic avant-garde soundscapes soon became a central part of New York's No Wave scene (as documented in "Downtown 81", a film centered around Jean-Michel Basquiat featuring performances by Blondie, James Chance, DNA and Tuxedomoon). Although the band has always been dedicated to experimental music, "No Tears", their 2nd single (1979), has remained an electro punk club classic to this day. Re-released in 2000 on DJ Hell's Gigolo Records, No Tears became an instant hit in an underground electro scene fueled by Punk antics. Despite a series of Remixes done to re-introduce the classic, the original track stands strong and a true "classic" of the No Wave movement.

Tuxedomoon - No Tears (Gigolo Records)

Tuxedomoon Live at Glenn O'Brien's "Uber-Hipster" TV Party

Ad: Converse stays current...

"Three Artists. One song" could have been the new "Two girls. One cup" but...the more I see this on TV the more i like it. Converse put together this little neat Ad Featuring Santogold, Pharrell Williams and Julian Casablancas, showcasing how good they all look in Black&White. Despite the Video being actually really clever, I think I'm more surprised by the production of this little gem. Not to mention the fact that Santie(gold)'s contribution was just spot on. Kudos to Converse for staying so current/hip/and with it. So there, go buy some Chucks...specially these designed by our friend and stencil maestro Kenji Nakayama. (You can actually purchase them online Here.)

Santogold/Casablancas/NERD - My Drive Thru

Music: Screw Astronomy! I wanna study Metronomy...

Metronomy has been one of our favorite UK bands and we're so glad they're back with a new album. When Pip Paine (Pay The £5000 You Owe) came out a couple years ago, we couldn't stop playing it over and over...Their sound was so Hypnotic and even Balkan sounding at times, But nonetheless it was a beautiful work bridging folk and electronic music (but not in that Scandinavian kinda way). Well...Now that they are back with a slightly more accessible album (that will probably get great review at Pitchfork) but that's ok. I hope they do well...because despite all the hype they get from the remixes, Nights Out is still as good as their debut album. Album out in September on Because Music. pre-order now here.

Metronomy - Heartbreaker (Because Music)

video: Heartbreaker

Video: Holiday

Video: Radio Ladio

Sneakers: Nike reads my blog....

Or at least that's what we wished they did. Remember months ago when we posted some videos about Obama's glory days as a Baller? Well Nike (not really...) surprisingly came up with these:

Info and Picture via Highsnobiety: "Artist Virtual Mo created two pairs of the Mobama Dunk Low 2008 in the Nike Innovation Kitchen. The shoe features many laser details, hinting at senator Obama and the elections. It is a custom shoe, in the sense that Virtual Mo designed it, but they have been entirely manufactured in the Nike Innovation Kitchen. For now there are onlz two pairs, but as the elections heat up, there is a good chance that the shoe will release in a very limited edition. "

Manifest Destitute on these Dunks: For a Candidate that's about to make history, these pair of Dunks are quite mediocre. No offense to Mr. Mo because we love his work but these pair are nothing a little Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop couldn't handle to design them. As for innovation, Lasering is not really ground breaking anymore. How about making a shoe...that's Eco-friendly and concentrates on Obama's campaign promises? Innovation Kitchen my ass. You know what?...I'm gonna go to Reebok and pitch my idea for the McPump. That's right! I'm gonna go to MIT and design it using military textiles and high tech materials. When you pump the tongue, oil will flow down to the sole. This shoe is gonna be so energy inneficient, they are gonna be made in North Korea and sold only in Iran...that's how limited they'll be. Why the Reebok pump? Simple...it's Vintage just like John McCain.

ps: Nike...we kid we kid (but how about a job though?)

Video: Kanye West is a muppet....

With Olympic Aspirations. Here's the new Video for Champion. I'm gonna guess he watched the opening ceremony, got an idea and had his people do a video in less than a week. But he's right....nothing compares to Olympic Bling.

Lazy Sunday: You will be missed Isaac...

Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008)

As a man who influenced the course of black music both as a performer and composer, the sound of Isaac Hayes has so many times been replicated but never surpassed. With a sound so universally urban, Isaac Hayes will always be remembered in my mind as an entertainer with the same eccentricity as James Brown but with depth and dramatism of a blues man. Well...since this blog is about electronic music (kind of) let me remind you that his monologue titled "Ikes Rap II" was not only sampled by Portishead, but also by Tricky at the very peak of the Trip-Hop movement. And if Indie Disco is your thing, then you should have figured out James Murphy takes pride and joy in taking elements from the past and so was the case with Disco Connection...an instrumental so strong LCD pays homage with their own Beat Connection (although they would probably never admit it). If you don't own any of his Records yet, I advice you to go and buy Black Moses, or at least a greatest hits album because in the end there will always be soul music, but only one Isaac Hayes...(so Kanye, stop trying)

Listen: Isaac Hayes - Disco Connection


A classic monologue that inspired a movement two decades later...

Sports: Ni hao Bitches!!!

The Olympics are about to start in 2hours (roughly) and all the world's attention will switch to Beijing. Hopefully NBC won't do their usual lame coverage of the event, as these will be the most important Olympics in decades...for obvious reasons which we shouldn't really get into in a mediocre blog like this one. In any case I'm gonna turn on my Olympic spirit, grab some Gatorade and enjoy the games...you should too. Watch Opening ceremony now (10am est) here!

Jackie...where did you leave Chris Tucker?

Video: All the girls standing in the line for the Bathroom....REEMIX!!!

A while ago we brought you the Remix (ft. Kanye West, Lupe and Pusha T) for N.E.R.D's Everyone Nose....well here's the video for it.

Music: Love Can't Turn Around!!!

This is crossing Lazy Sunday territory, but I couldn't wait to share it with you. The year was 1986 and "Love Can't Turn Around" by Chicago House Legend Farley Jackmaster Funk (with Darryl Pandy on vocals) charted in the UK and reached a top 10 spot (and a legendary performance on top of the pops). Now the seminal House track is officially back with some "2008-style" remixes by Lifelike and "nu ravers" Dolby Anol. But the surprise about this homage (courtesy of BACKYARD recordings) is the remix by Boys Noize that did not make the cut...possibly because it samples/mashes DJ Sneak's classic "You Can't Hide From Your Bud". Ironically, I think i prefer this super mash-up/remix an infinity more than the aforementioned two (no offense or nothin'). So go git your headphones kids and get ready to party like it's 1986 or 1996 and why not 2006...any excuse is good to Party when the heat is on!!!

Farley Jackmaster Funk ft. Darryl Pandy - Love Can't Turn Around (Boys Noize Remix)


ps: buy the white label 12" here from our pals at Turnable Lab!
watch the history behind this classic track here!

Event: Paint Pens in Purses!!!

If you always wondered where you could meet cool girls with awesome Art skills, then head over to Via Matta today and check out “Paint Pens in Purses”. The all-female urban art show is organized by our friend and Artist Shayna Yasuhara (aka Shayna Shenanigans) and will feature the work of Nineta, Lichiban, Morgan Thomas, Kim Harris, Heather McGrath, illy L among others. Also at the event, Boston's own "Seduce & Destroy", a line of streetwear dedicated to all the ladies who like to rock. Drinks will be free and Music Courtesy of Ms.Thang. If you can't make it today, well no worries, shows will continue in the fall at LAB in Allston, and Middlesex Lounge in Cambridge. Check out more info on the event at yelp.

"Paint Pens in Purses"
@Via Matta 7pm-10pm
79 Park Plaza, Boston MA

Film: it's a season for tropic thunder!!!

You know what's better than watching a really funny movie? Watching it for free!!! Last night we were lucky enough to sit in front of a bunch of Boston's Media to catch a screening of Ben Stiller's new comedy gem "Tropic Thunder". I suggest you don't waste your time reading The Dig, The Phoenix or even the Metro because trust me, THE MOVIE IS COMEDY GOLD!!! you gotta give it to the writers of this movie. They did what seemed impossible...making a movie funny with Matthew Mcconaughey. I'm not gonna give anything away because you should go see it...if anything because you'll leave the theater wanting some "Booty Sweat"

Lazy Sunday: Guns at Brooklyn?

Lazy Sunday is back y'all. After a brief hiatus, it was time to come back to Boston and do what we do best...being Lazy. Recently, we've been sharing some embarrassing house hits from the 90's and well...as much as we loved them, I wanted to find an excuse to share with you Santogold's "Guns at Brooklyn" from the Diplo produced Mixtape. Staying pretty faithful to the original, this track is pure joy and yes...90% Dub fire. But let's not forget The Clash though. A classic is a classic...and after all that's why here on Lazy Sunday you'll always find a classic.

Santogold - Guns at Brooklyn (buy the Santogold Diplo Mixtape here!!!)

Music: Crome Knight!!!

Cromeo + Surkin = match made in heaven!!! Surkin's White Knight has been playing non-stop in my head for months and then this...it's like the 90's never went away!!! Seriously, who needs a "Thin White Duke" when you can have a White Knight...nuff said. Enjoy!!! (hehe...i've got mad photoshop skills o_O)

Surkin ft. Chromeo - White Knight (institubes)