10.Deep opens pop-up store tomorrow @ Hall of Fame, Los Angeles

The 10.DEEP crew have traveled from their Washington D.C. base to open a pop-up store in Los Angeles tomorrow at Hall of Fame (449 North Fairfax Avenue.)

If you're in the area, the store will open at 7pm on Friday, November 12th and showcase "the global premiere" of its Holiday 2010 collection as well as some exclusive garms only Hall of Fame will carry.

10.Deep says it has some other rolling events and exclusive product releases through the end of the year. The one I'm looking forward to is the new mixtape release. Can't wait! Best be free ;)

If you don't know, 10.Deep has released four mixtapes from the likes of Wale, Kid Cudi, DJ Benzi and Donnis.

It's a draw: Rappers 1 vs. 1 Brands

What happens when you try to mix popularity with commerciality? How can you get paid for doing what you love, without creating an ill-fitting alliance where the artist looks pimped out?

I may never face these challenges, but young rappers chasing the dream face the mighty dollar bill question all the time. Here are are a couple of commercials that show the outcome of what happens when brands want a piece of you (and your fan base!)

However, only one video represents a credible and respectful partnership between artist and brand.

Kid Cudi x Converse


Drake x Sprite

Lee Quinones, Aloe Blacc and Kid Cudi: "How to make it in America"

I love it when a story comes together. I heard that Lee Quinones had something to do with HBO's new series "How To Make it in America," but it wasn't until Stones Throw sent out a free sampler of Aloe Blacc's new album entitled "I Need a Dollar" that everything clicked.

You see, Blacc's tune is the title theme music to the show. So now I can share the video above of the talented Aloe Blacc tune and big up Lee's "Rasta Monster" graffiti mural on the van that Luis Guzman's character (Rene) uses to move his energy drink around town.

I don't have HBO, but coming from the producers of Entourage it should be top of your viewing list. It's on tomorrow. More hip hop trivia? Kid Cudi plays the character, Domingo.

This is hip-hop....Kid Cudi

I hear Kid Cudi is #2 on the UK charts...He's on rotation here in LA. Even with some words oddly beeped out, this tune is a banger.



If you're looking for an acoustic version Little Boots gives us the Brit version excursion! Here's her blog.