It’s been a good week for Wale. First he released the video for “W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.” and now finally after months of delays, real hip-hop lovers and music enthusiast alike can breathe a sigh of relief – “SERENITY NOW!” ‘The Mixtape About Nothing’ by everyone’s favorite DC rapper, Wale (pronounced WAH-lay) has finally arrived.

Recently signed to Interscope via Mark Ronson and poised to become “The Next Big Thing”, Wale brings a “Seinfeld” inspired mixtape, continuing with his quest to turn rap and hip-hop on its side with his hyperactive alliterated flow and heavily influenced go-go sound.

In an ode to the changing musical and cultural landscape, The Washington Post reviewed the mixtape – YES A MIXTAPE REVIEW! – And compared its debut to “Christmas, Hanukkah and Festivus all rolled into one.”

The Album is a tribute to Seinfeld, Wale’s favorite show, and its Track Lists follows the sitcoms formula of “The” beginnings.

The tape opens with the aptly titled “The Opening Title Sequence” in which Wale asks “What the deal with” the world in true Jerry Seinfeld fashion. He incorporates clips from the show, Micheal Richards “rant” (proceeding the socially conscious “The Kramer”) and even has a guest appearance by Elaine herself, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who is apparently his “biggest fan.”

Not all content that made the mixtape is fresh content, which has Wale’s die hard fans questioning its delay. For instance, “The Roots Song Wale Is On” is “Rising Up”; “The Feature Heavy Song” is “Back in the Go-Go” and “The Cliché Lil Wayne Song” is “Nike Boots remix”, which received much hype when Wale released it exclusively on his Myspace page Christmas Day 2007.

Yet and still, with 19 tracks – many produced by DC’s own Best Kept Secret, ‘The Mixtape About Nothing’ pleases, with Wale exploring topics ranging from race, popular culture, issues in the Black community, society, with ones self, and the watering down of rap – even calling out Interscope label mate Soulja Boy. As always, Wale reps extra hard for the D/M/V and the PGC (that would be DC, Maryland, Virginia and Prince Georges County Maryland, which he calls home) and exposes the go-go sound and even a taste of Baltimore Club (“The Bmore Club Song” produced by Club legend Scottie B) to people outside the “urr-rea.”

Listen here, download here via elitaste.com, Wale’s personal blog.

Wale, “That’s [his] name don’t forget it.”

So, I have some good news and some bad news, for dramatic value I will ask which you want first.. the good or the bad? Bad… Thought so… In 2005 we hosted the first white party at White Lotus, and followed in 06 and 07 at Privilege, these events were so successful, we are now faced with multiple white parties on the same night. Though flattered, we decided to push our White Party back to a later date, to protect the integrity of one of our signature events. So if you already bought your fit, toss it in the closet, and stand by for The Original White Party later this year. To be clear, don’t roll up rocking all White this Sunday, unless the fit you got is that fresh…yes I know .

Now for the good news, we have Chrisette Michele joining us as a special guest host Sunday. Word is she may bless us with a few songs. Regardless of the attire, theme, venue, or date, its all one thing remains constant, its Elevated baby! So for this Sunday, still arrive early and come dressed to impress or you wont get in, and you’ll have to settle for partying with the imposters. I apologize for the inconvenience, but come thru to Entrée Sundays, guarantee a good time.

Now that you’ve probably spent a good chunk of your paycheck on tickets to the UCLA Jazz/Reggae Fest and a new outfit for the weekend, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to afford anything else (i.e. gas, parking, a decent meal, maybe drink or two). Fortunately for the working young adult, Westwood isn’t just a baller’s paradise. Just follow the aroma of fresh-baked cookies & ice cream and you’ll find a line of people stretching out the door of Diddy Riese Cookie’s.

The menu is filled with more than 10 kinds of oven-baked cookies and 12 different Dreyer’s ice cream flavors. I strongly suggest creating your own ice cream sandwiches, with choices ranging from peanut butter Twix ice cream to Sugar Cinnamon. If you are in decisive you can practice by building your own Ice Cream Sandwich online. The pairings are endless and sometimes so is the line, but it’s well worth the wait! If dessert or a late night snack is at hand, then swing bye Diddy Riese and spend your last $1.50 on the best ice cream sandwich in LA .

Diddy Reese Cookies
926 Broxton Avenue
Westwood, CA 90024

If you don’t know about Pacific Division yet you’ve definitely been sleepin’. So wake up and come out to the Key Club tonight, where the LA natives will be performing along with J Davey and Diz Gibran. They’ve created quite a buzz, especially in the last year, and have been featured in the Source (last year) XXL (this month) and Billboard (this week). They were named one of URB Magazine’s next 100 artists and Myspace’s featured artist of the week. The F.A.T. Boys video was a Myspace featured video of the week. Needless to say, these boys ain’t playin’ around!

If you didn’t catch their guest appearance at our Cool pool party at the Standard, you can check them out on the Wake Up Show and in the Women Problems video below.

So come join us at their show tonight…it’ll be $15 well spent.

After all, sleep is for suckas.

The Key Club
9039 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90069
310.786.1712

Women Problems Video (I see you Ms. Loveless!)

If you are like me, you are spending a lot of time in your local grocer’s frozen food aisle, because its HOT.  Since it’s Memorial Day Weekend, I will have to venture away from the comfort of my air conditioned home, and hit the streets.  The Standard Pool with DubFrequency, the UCLA Jazz Reggae Fest, and the White Party will be part of my line up for the weekend.  I previously posted the information on the Jazz Fest, so if you missed it, catch up.

Sunday May 25^th we will host “Blanc” our 4^th Annual Memorial Day White Party at Opera Night Club.  As the original Hollywood White Party, this event has seemingly been the hottest and most memorable party of the year, if you don’t know, you should ask some body.  Maybe because the its an unofficial kick off to the Summer, maybe because there is no work the next day, or because every one looks so good in all white.  Regardless of the reason, the truth is the same, this party is an experience not to miss. Get your WHITE outfits together,  I don’t want to see any crèmes, egg shells or off whites, this is the all white party.  Though not mandatory, do you really want to be the odd ball?  J Lazo with the photo coverage, and Gomez Warren IV on the turn tables, early arrival is a must  and if you cant get it together in time check out ?uestlove and RK Entertainment Group at the Roxy.

Friday, MTV released their Top 10 MC list for 2008, in the past couple of days there has been much debate on the accuracy of there choices. When looking back at the past year, it is difficult for me to rank artists, but since MTV dictates what is hot, I guess we have to agree.  The list is below, click each name to see why the made the list. I am sure the special will air again soon, so be sure to set your DVRs. Hit the comment section and share your thoughts. I am still trying to gather my opinion.

1. Kanye
2. Jay-Z
3. Lil Wayne
4. Rick Ross
5. Snoop Dogg
6. 50 Cent
7. Lupe Fiasco
8. Young Jeezy
9. Andre 3000
10. T.I.

While there are few things I look forward to each year, as i try not to count days, Memorial Day Weekend seems to stand out amongst the rest. The fact that it is a three day weekend holds less weight with me as I make my own schedule, but the amount of activities packed in those three days that makes it something special. I know the world awaits the details on our Annual White Party, but in the mean time, we should all focus on getting prepared for the 22^nd Annual UCLA Jazz & Reggae Fest. The annual two day concert draws over 30,000 people making it one of the largest concerts in Cali.

Jam Day (Sunday, May 25^th), marks the first day with Goapele, Dr. Lonnie Smith and headlining act The Roots. The Roots being arguably the best live show on earth, makes Jam Day well worth the visit. Reggae Day (Monday, May 26^th) the most attended of the two days will feature Mr. Vegas, Capleton and Stephen Marley. With Doors opening at 11am each day, getting prime real estate on the grass Is similar to that of the market in California, you wont be able to get anything. “A weekend of Peace, Love and Music” is what you can expect from the Jazz Reggae Festival, as well as great food and vendors. Save a couple bucks and get your tickets early. Look our for the elevated crew, we will be hard to miss.

Click Here for Advance Ticket Purchase

The lights come up, the music comes down, and now it’s time for you to decide what to do now that the club is closing. You could roll with the get money crew (the promoters), and go to pinks for some late night street gourmet. Most likely you will round up a half dozen people and convince them to go to Ihop or Denny’s with you to keep you company while you sober up. Cookie-cutter post club eats, no ambiance, and lots of laughs with good friends (if you’re lucky) This was cool when we were in college but is kinda played now. What do you think?

After the “Freedom Starts with Me Show” at the Troubadour in West Hollywood a few months back. , I decided that I didn’t want to have to make the long drive home afterwards, so I hopped on Google Maps in search for a crash pad close to the venue. Something moderately priced but posh enough to empress the Mrs. I found Le Montrose.

It’s a fresh little boutique hotel nested in the middle of a residential neighborhood in West Hollywood. The decor is modern minimal-chic. No gaudy cheerleaders, overly ornate wall coverings, and froo-froo furniture here. The design was clean and elegant. We stayed in a well appointed Junior Suite (I’m still working on getting that penthouse money) on the 6th floor. A nice view of the city, a well stocked mini-bar, 60 inch plasma, and a pillow-top California King for the lady and I to cuddle up in. Next time you have a good night out, lay up with someone at Le Montrose.

In true fat-boy fashion I am working on a top ten burger list. The Counter is definitely in the top five. It is a concept restaurant that focuses on one thing: really good hamburgers! When you’re seated they don’t give you a menu, they give you a checklist-style order form where you can choose from dozens of toppings to build a true meal on the bun. If you are ever on the west side, stop by The Counter.

The Counter
2901 Ocean Park Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310.399.8311

“…that’s all relationships are. they aint that complicated. it’s just f***in’ and eatin…if you dont like f***in’ somebody, and you dont like eatin’ wit’em, y’all dont need to be together.” -Never Scared, 2004

Now, I don’t know how qualified Chris Rock was to dispense relationship advice at that time, but at least he kept things simple (b/c lord knows relationships can be TOO too complicated).

If you’re feeling the side effects of love (or work, or traffic, etc.), consider a hefty dose of laughter to make you forget (if only for a moment) that everything sucks, and go check out Chris Rock’s “No Apologies Tour” that hits the Gibson Amphitheatre stage starting tomorrow (April 23).

Two decades into a very successful career and the already legendary comedian is still talking lots (and lots….hey, we’re living in dire times!) of sh*t. Unlike this post, he is (still) very much uncensored. (Ahh, Chris, it’s good to know that a hit TV show, an Oscar-hosting gig, a trip to “Madagascar” and numerous appearances on “Oprah” haven’t taken the Jack out of your coke).

There are many reasons to love the Rock, and this 1996 classic is a reminder that if keeping it real goes wrong, then you must not have had Chris tell it:

Chris Rock: No Apologies Tour
4.23-4.26 | 8:15pm
$45.60-$75.50
Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal CityWalk

With the weather warming up, everyone needs a place to go to be Cool. This weekend will be full of that Cool-ness we are all looking for. The True School Crew is back in Hollywood to host and party with the Elevated Fam, and to kick things off we’ll be at Nacional Thursday for License to Ill Pt 2.

Friday is the weekly classic Blow Fridays at Sugar. Saturday we bring an extra helping of Cool to you, elevated in the Los Angeles skyline on the Roof Top Pool & Lounge of The Standard Hotel. Whether you hop in the pool or post at the bar, Cool will be in full effect. As if all that isn’t enough, Saturday night we will host our second installment of the House Party at Basque, and Sunday we close out the packed weekend at Entrée celebrating the Birthdays of Devrin Anderson and David Banner.

The Mantra, the motto, the slogan, the theme…whichever way you choose to view “Hustle Hard, Eat Well, Live Elevated,” it is our offering not only to our readers, but to everybody we encounter. You may have seen it pop up in a few of the post, but now I think it’s time that is we provide a detailed explanation. Besides sounding really cool, we put some deep thought into these few words:

Hustle Hard means to do just that: work hard in all that you do, and success will always be a by-product of your hustle. Some may feel the word “Hustle” is played or worn out, but there is no better word to describe pure hard work. Now matter how many rap songs use the word, it will still hold the same weight. Hustle is a state of mind. As much as it is about working hard, it is about working smart. Each opportunity that is put in front of you is a gift. Your thanks for that gift is hustle.

Eat Well (pause), does not just mean to eat 5 fruits and veggies a day, or to hit up the place on Beverly Blvd with the good pancakes. Of course we encourage you to literally eat well, or we wouldn’t suggest so many spots with good eats, but in our mantra “eat well” is a reference to money. If you’re “eatin” that means you’re getting money. And as true wealth is our goal, you know it is achieved when you can have the best food on your table and the best people around it.

Live Elevated. How does one do that? Living up to your potential is living elevated. Strive to be, have, see, and experience the best there is in this world and the next. For the those who are temporarily “elevated”–or impaired–don’t even worry about it. Just stick to the script and follow along with us. We will map it out for you. Living elevated is something that is a constant struggle. You must constantly expect the best for yourself, as well as your surroundings and activities. Life is too short to be complacent and accept sub-par quality in any aspect of life. We strive to assist you in this way of life by provided you with elevated experiences and destinations.

Now that we are clear, there is 75% of the year left for you to “Hustle Hard, Eat Well, Live Elevated” in ‘08.