ProHipHop

G-Unit Riderz, 50 Cent & G-Unit Records’ Official Motorcycle Team Exclusively Unveils Custom-designed G-Unit Bikes

G-Unit Riderz, the official motorcycle team of 50 Cent and G-Unit Records, have exclusively unveiled their new custom G-Unit motorcycles just in time to announce the winners of their 2012 Calendar Model Search.

“We are thrilled to be working with MotoInsanity on exclusively unveiling these new custom G-Unit motorcycles to the public,” said Kirvin Santiago, the leader of the G-Unit Riderz and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s official movie stunt double. “And we are proud to announce that our first model for the exclusive new 2012 calendar is Ladyfire of Nikki Rich Models.”

The exclusive new photoshoot by acclaimed photographer Bernadette Giacomazzo — hip-hop’s answer to Annie Leibovitz, whose work with such luminaries as Mobb Deep, Lloyd Banks, & Dipset has appeared in People Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, & MTV.com, to name a few.

Ladyfire, represented by Nikki Rich Models, is no stranger to the urban modeling game: she has appeared in such publications as Gorgeous Magazine, Shygirl Magazine, 5150 Magazine, and many more. As well as appearing in the G-Unit Riderz 2012 Calendar, Ladyfire is also putting out her own calendar in time for the holiday season. More models will be announced and debuted in the coming weeks.

G-Unit Riderz, the official motorcycle team of 50 Cent and G-Unit Records, are known the world over for their death-defying stunts and dazzling live shows. Comprised of brothers Kirvin “BJ” Santiago and Muhammed “Moe” Santiago, the Riderz alongside their teammate Brian Chin, have been featured in such high-profile publications such as Global Grind, VladTV, Thisis50.com, and Pop Culture Madness. The G-Unit Riderz is sponsored by Tygershark Cages, KRSP Clothing, MotoInsanity, Venom Cycles, and Braaap! Clothing.

Hip-hop and the Super Bowl

Even the Super Bowl had a hip-hop tint to it. The world’s biggest sporting event usually has a heavy mix of celebrities from all different genres and professions. While hip-hop is no stranger to the NFL’s biggest game, they had a particularly strong presence in the news and in the days festivities itself. Much of this has to do with the increased and intense media focus that is put upon Super Bowl week, including the pre-game and post game parties and press events. So here are some of the places that hip-hop made their mark.

Green & Yellow

Cash Money’s superstar recording artist, Lil’ Wayne, released a song entitled “Green & Yellow.” It was his tribute to the Packers and he obviously has made his decision on who he thought would win. While it wasn’t the best Super Bowl song to be created, it certainly was an honor for the Packers to have a recording artist of Lil’ Wayne’s caliber to record a song for them.

Black Eyed Peas

The Super Bowl has been very hesitant in the last few years to bring in an act that has flavor and isn’t always the safe choice. This year they got out of that pattern and brought in Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas. They looked to give the Super Bowl half time show a little kick from previous years.

Will.i.am

The Black Eyed Peas super producer did a little more than prepare his group for their halftime performance. It turns out that this producer is also a director and directed two commercials for the Super Bowl for the site chatter.com, which ran right around the performance of the Black Eyed Peas. This Super Bowl had hip-hop written all over it, and from the looks of it, hip-hop should be an important part of the big game for years to come.

LeBron James Invests in Future Victories

I haven’t been following the details of LeBron James and co.’s free agency adventures so I’m going to assume that the facts in this Forbes piece about James’ choice of Miami are correct. If so, the tale of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh coming together on the Miami Heat may be, in large part, one of major NBA players choosing to leave money on the table as an investment towards one or more shiny championship rings.

That’s smart business. Most players in the NBA don’t seem to know how to invest in anything except themselves as individuals. Choosing to pool resources to go for the gold is one of those things that seems to be heading the way of defense in professional basketball!

Those of you with more insight into the details are encouraged to share your perspective in the comments. Given that both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade seem to have given up lots of cash, am I correct in assuming that they’ve basically invested in future victories?

Kobe Doin’ Work: A Spike Lee Joint on DVD


Kobe Doin' Work: A Spike Lee Joint dvd cover art

Kobe Doin' Work: A Spike Lee Joint

I recently got a review copy of Kobe Doin' Work: A Spike Lee Joint and it was kind of an eye opener to see Coach Bryant at work. This flick should be pretty interesting for Kobe watchers and wannabe coaches alike cause this guy coaches his teammates on the court, on the bench and in the locker room. At one point, during his voiceover narration, he even says he didn't realize how much he talked on the court!

But during this game, a major pre-Playoffs encounter with the San Antonio Spurs, Spike Lee had 30 or so cameras following Kobe the entire time, even when the action was elsewhere. It works pretty well and Spike's crew got locker room access which is where you see Kobe talking more than Phil Jackson!

This scenario could not have happened while Shaq was on the team and I, for one, do not miss the Mountain of Nonsense. Let Kobe be Kobe!

ESPN: Spike Lee on Kobe Doin' Work

Rakim x Zoo York: Seventh Seal Skateboard Deck


Rakim x Zoo York Seventh Seal Skateboard Deck

Rakim + Zoo York + Dean Nicastro = Skateboard Deck

RAKIM COLLABORATION WITH ZOO YORK:

"This classic, limited edition skateboard deck features graphics designed by Rakim, Zoo York and NYC artist Dean Nicastro and will come packaged with the new The Seventh Seal CD. It will be available to collectors and fans in December 2009 at select retail outlets, www.zooyork.com, www.rakim.com, and through online promotions guided by the Cornerstone team."

Official Sites: Zoo York ~ Rakim

Available on iTunes:
Rakim

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Rakim: The Seventh Seal Album Cover Variations

Extended Nike Skateboarding Commercial: Today Was a Good Day f/Ice Cube

Nike SB – Today Was a Good Day – Extended Version

"Extended version of the Nike SB commercial 'Today was a Good Day' with Kobe and Koston" and Mr. Cube!

Via Blacklisted.

Update:



Today Was a Good Day

Here's a shorter version.

Dude looks like that guy in Entourage, Ice Cube's rolling through, so where's Turtle?

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Criss Angel Mindfreak: Ice Cube Promo

52 Blocks Martial Arts System Gaining Legitimacy




52 Blocks a Martial Art from the Streets

The NY Times has a piece on 52 Blocks, an approach to martial arts associated, in part, with prison fighting, and speaks to some of the teachers.

They also did a video piece that's remixed above that I found on the FarisiDaniel YouTube channel that I've been following since I ran across it along with the 52 Blocks Knuckle Game blog.

There's a lot on YouTube including 52 BLOCKS INFO and cainmarko1.

Interesting stuff. It reminds me of a cross between boxing and Wing Chun and is apparently designed for working in a limited space. There are also training methods involving working on chin up bars and the like that make it easy to keep an eye on who's coming up on you, for example, in a prison yard or sketchy city park.

Nike Fate Commercial f/LaDainian Tomlinson & Troy Polamalu

Fate f/LaDainian Tomlinson & Troy Polamalu

Nice concept for this Nike Leave Nothing campaign commercial titled Fate featuring NFL stars LaDainian Tomlinson and Troy Polamalu.

Awful Announcing digs it and so do I.  Especially the "destruction of the coffee table" moment!

Video via illusive.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Ladainian Tomlinson Nike Commercial, Music by TIMZ

Adam Yauch: Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot DVD/Soundtrack


Gunnin' For That #1 Spot DVD cover art

Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot DVD

Adam Yauch’s basketball documentary, Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot is due October 21st in a two disc set that includes the soundtrack:

"On the corner of 155th and Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem lies Rucker Park…On September 1, 2006, the top 24 high school basketball players in the nation stepped out on this court…to compete in the first annual Elite 24 all-star game. GUNNIN FOR THAT #1 SPOT follows eight of these players as they prepare to showcase their skills at the most legendary playground in the world."

"Features a Platinum Level Soundtrack Presented in 5.1 SRD with tracks by Jay-Z, Ludacris, Kool and the Gang, Nas, M.I.A, The Meters, The Beastie Boys, The Staple Singers, Public Enemy and more."

Official Site: Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot
Reviews:
Rotten Tomatoes

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Oscilloscope Pictures: Adam Yauch’s New Film Division

Lil Mama’s Shawty Get Loose Promo for SEC Tournament

Lil Mama’s Shawty Get Loose featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain is mobilized for a promo trailer on behalf of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament.