It's a b-boy weekend on MTV

This weekend on MTV in the US comes a chance (well four to be precise) to watch "Planet B-Boy" one of the most engaging films about a b-boy's ascent to world champion. More accurately, this is a film about five b-boy crews repping their countries (France, South Korea, Japan and the USA), but you get up-close-and-personal with key members of the crews and their motivation to succeed. It's addictive viewing and real reality, not fake shite!

Tune into MTV
January 11th, 11.00am PST
January 12th, 12.00am PST
January 14th, 1.30am PST

Last summer, director Benson Lee was interviewed for UCLA Asia Institute. It's a dope interview that gets into the thinking behind the film. When asked about why he chose to focus on the "here and now" of b-boying, Lee said:

"If you're gonna do any justice to the history, you either just skim it, or you go for broke. The history...it's like a black hole. Once you get sucked in, it's kind of hard to get out. You are constantly walking on eggshells. And you are constantly questioning the authenticity of information and you know it's a scientific approach with no scientific evidence. It's all just like "I was there," "He wasn't there," or it's just constant bickering. It's very political, there's a lot debate within the community. I'm certainly not the person to go in there and say that this is the definitive history. It's actually much safer not to do that. The last group I want to disrespect are the b-boys."

MTV and Run's House....sad...!

Man, this semi-scripted show is kinda embarrassing! It's not spontaneous like The Osbournes, which has won Emmys. The best thing about the show is Vanessa, Run's eldest daughter ;-) Hot!

The episode I saw was about the daughters deciding that they needed to launch a sneaker range for girls..."Daddy has the whole Run Athletics thing".

What?...I didn't know the Arthur Ashe sneakers are part of Run's empire. Makes me think of Pro-Keds which is part of Damon Dash's business.

Pastry sneakers
Girls' sneakers? Run is pissed off and moans: "Put your job's on the line...stick your neck out!" The saving grace of the show is Russell Simmons. His phone call with Rasheed who 'runs' the Ashe sneaker brand was funny - lots of bleeping...he bitched him out: "Keep focused...That's bullshit...I'll give the girls one chance...Bzzzz." He hung up on Rasheed! Hahah. But, I think I'd be abrasive if I thought time was being wasted after achieving so much success as an entrepreneur. Check this Business Week article about Russell Simmons.

Psst: Arthur Ashe sneakers are kinda wack...no one's selling them on eBay and no one's buying them either...well, I tried to sell the ones I won in a competition and no one was interested! Pah! Update: I see that the dope 'We Sold Out' crew have Run Candy and Voodoo shoes in stock...hmmm, might help give that brand some hype.

Maxim Magazine
Oh, what's the hot pic got to do with this blog posting? Run's 21-year old daughter is a Ford model and she shocked her dad when she told him she would be posing for sexy men's magazine 'Maxim'. Daddy's response?

"My daughter is in Maxim magazine. She has to wear a bathing suit. Oh, Jesus.

She said, 'Daddy, I have to be in Maxim magazine.' I said, 'Can I come to the photo shoot?' She said no, so I sent Angela, my youngest daughter to go and watch.

I'm just trying to make sure I can keep my kids guided correctly and let them have a fun time at the same time.

Sometimes it's hard to let go. You have to close your eyes and hope for the best. I've seen the photos, but haven't seen the magazine, it hasn't made it's way into the house, (but) I'm open."