Spring Trends 2: Blossom vs Fedora Hat

Words: Tatiana R.
Sometimes you may not feel like doing too much to your hair. Or just to give your look a ounce of difference wearing a hat may add to the style you are going for. The fedora hat is best in two way, worn towards the front, almost concealing your face or just the exact opposite sometimes to showcase bangs. The hat that we call, "The Blossom," you may recognize most famously worn by character from Blossom. This hat was very popular during the ’90s and is making a major comeback. So whether you’re more intot the fedora look of casual or blossom of the free-spirit look, each will jazz up your fashion.

REVIEWED! Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part 2 (Return of the Ankh)

Words: Carlin Dunn

The smooth Badu pulls another unique and great album out of her head wrap. Some people think Erykah is on some crazy type music and if your one of those people that is not about to change in New Amerykah Part 2 (Return of the Ankh). Her new single “Window Seat” is a mix of talented drums by Questlove and melodious harmony by Badu. This song is going to be a classic Erykah song, and the video for the song will make you wonder what is her drive. The song “Umm Hmm” goes all the way back to Baduism, in the song she takes a sample and flips it into one of the single worthy songs on the album. For the Neo-Soul lovers this album is a must need to the collection. Ms. Badu keeps changing and still looks and sounds great!
4.5 out of 5

Mixtape Alert: Sean Falyon Be Everywhere

Sean Falyon be everywhere…literally after performances at SXSW and getting the real deal on the road with him on his guest blog featured on Culture Shock Mag, he releases his "Sean Falyon Be Everywhere" mixtape. Features include GLC, Lloyd, Playboy Tre and many others.

Download now: http://bit.ly/90vSc9

MondayLeaks: HitBoy & Chase N. Cashe Present: Chili Chil “Cold World” hosted by Don Cannon

Surf Club Presents to you their lead artist Chili Chil and his debut "Cold World" hosted by Don Cannon
Produced by Hit-Boy, Chase N. Cashe, Rey Reel, and Chili Chil himself. Features by Stacy Barthe

www.itsthesurfclub.com

"Cold World"
http://usershare.net/dcngdyb7buq5

MondayLeaks: DJ Jazzy T “Relax & Take Notes Vol. 3

DJ Jazzy T, returns with Volume Three of Relax & Take Notes. Staying with the theme of keeping your attention on her mixing skills with a switch of style as the cover you can’t go wrong. Tracks from The Dream, Ludacris and many more will be the perfect soundtrack to your spring drive bys. Download it here…NOW!

http://www.zshare.net/download/745015728632ac5a/

Monday Leaks: Dee Goodz – Sneaker Head Remake of Drunken Master’s “50″

New up and coming artist from Nashville, TN Dee Goodz teams up with fellow College Kids & Dropouts member Young Rell to bring us the first leak off their upcoming project entitled "Cooly High". Coming with an entirely brand new sound ever heard from this area, the two have hit us with a Sneaker-Head’s remake of Drunken Master’s "50". "Cooly High" is set to release on 4/20/2010. Be sure to keep your eye out for future leaks off the project coming your way.

Download Here
http://usershare.net/qwzj0lw28paa

Spring Trends Part 1 of Many:)

Words: Tatiana R.

Spring is officially here and there are at least ten essentials you ladies must have! From the top to the bottom Culture Shock Mag has got you covered. Throughout the week, we’ll be posting various items that will dress up your spring attire.

Item #1

The Trench Coat: April showers bring May flowers and with so many styles this year a trench coat is definite. Even when it’s not raining a great trench coat will dress up a casual look.

Justin Bieber – His ‘World 2.0′

The world has been dominated by a 16 year old Pop/ R&B Artist by the name of Justin Bieber! It’s safe to say everyone has heard about this kid at least once over the past few months as he became an overnight sensation. Bieber was founded by Usher on YouTube when he was just 14, singing cover’s of other’s music, and since then he has signed with Usher’s label & brought in millions of revenue worldwide. Even though his first album, ‘My World’, dropped just 5 months ago, he’s back with another, ’My World 2.0′, taking over the Trending Topics daily on Twitter, as well as the Radio airwaves & internet!

One thing about Justin Bieber that is great is that his marketing strategy is genius! After looking at it, one has to give everyone around him some sort of props. Here it goes in a nutshell: Young Caucasian Teenager + Catchy Pop Singles + R&B Album + Great Voice = Billions of Young Screaming Girls & Lots of $ $ $ $ $ $!

As for the album, ‘My World 2.0‘ is actually a great solid album. You hear a lot of about the dislike of bubble gum artists, such as Taylor Swift & Miley Cyrus, & thanks to them, they will forever hold a stereotype for artists in that genre; But what sticks out about Justin Bieber is that he is a genuine Pop/ R&B Artist, and I believe we have Usher to take for that for the most part in not changing the Justin’s swagger to be like everyone elses. One of my favorite tracks on the album would have to be “Runaway Love”, written by one of the dopest Songwriting groups/ Artists in the game right now, Rock City. Another hot track on the album would have to be “Up”, which accentuates the singer’s voice with a soulful beat. Suprisingly, the whole album is considered an R&B album. Aside from the Pop singles, “Baby” featuring Ludacris & “Eenie Meenie” featuring Sean Kingston, the album as a whole has a great feel, especially from a young kid out of Canada.

There have been lots of rave reviews about the album & many are saying that Justin could be the next Michael Jackson, or at least sounds like him in his music. It’s agreeable, in a voice & early success perspective, but Justin will have some big shoes to fill if he wants to be the next King of Pop.

Words by Michael ‘Showtime’ Watson

Monica – ‘Still Standing’

It’s official.. Monica is back & better than ever! After just a week of release of her new album, ‘Still Standing’, Monica has took the R&B throne, selling more than 200,000 albums in her the first week.

But what else could you expect from an artist as pure as Monica?

‘Still Standing’ has been getting great reviews all over the world. One of the primary reasons has to be the fact that no matter what the R&B Queen puts out, she always keeps it real & never changes for anyone! In an immense industry full of record labels that push to evolve an artist into a persona that matches what is going on at that time, ‘Still Standing‘ stood its ground as one of the greatest R&B albums in the past few years.

One of the hottest songs on the album would have to be “Stay Or Go”. The track starts out with a soft piano & completely changes tempo’s into a bass-bumping R&B record, produced by one of the hottest under-rated producers/ artists in the game, Bei Major. Another great song would have to be ‘Love All Over Me’, which is a Soul ballad about a significant other’s endless love. These are just two favorites off of the album, but as a whole, it’s definitely one of those albums that you can just put on & not have to worry about changing the song; 10 Thumbs up Monica!

Words by Michael ‘Showtime’ Watson

7 Steps to the Perfect Outfit

In my last article I told you what is not hot but I did not really help you get fresh and switch up your style.  So now I am going to take out this time to help you put together a nice head-turning outfit without looking like everyone else in the club or on the streets.

Here are my key 7 (cuz I couldn’t think of 10) steps to pulling off a head-turning outfit:

1. Start with the shoes-This will allow you to know what colors you have to work with and what style you are trying to go for.  If you are going for a dressy look you wouldn’t put all white Nike Air Force Ones on would you? Shoes are usually the first thing people look at so make sure they are fresh and clean.  Also put back the Polo boots and shop around for something that is a little different but still relaxed.
2. Get a classic pair of jeans-Loud colored jeans take away from the other pieces of your outfit and can make you look like you are trying too hard.  You can never go wrong with hard denim f.y.i.