They’ve penned…and recorded a summer anthem (probably one of many to come but…whatevs). So if you’re looking for a concert to hit that will compliment the laid back and chill summer you EXPECT to have (we can only hope), Shwayze is probably the ticket you’re looking for.

Who is Shwayze? you ask. Correction: Who are… Just a couple of guys (Cisco Adler and Shwayze) who met at a party and let their love for music (or was it partying) lead them to make music we love to BBQ/sip Coronas/mindlessly groove to during the unique So Cal summer.

A few live shows, and one infectious hook later (not to mention the look…) Shwayze had folks buzzin’ all over town…

So if you’re not feeling totally relaxed by now, check out the song that you’ll probably blast up and down PCH for the rest of the summer (or at least in your backyard with the inflatable pool, it’s all good) …

… and check ‘em out when they stop by at one of these So Cal venues.

Shwayze
Fairplex Park, Pomona| 6.20
Seaside Park, Ventura | 6.22
Home Depot Center, Carson | 8.17

For those of you that reside in California and have never had the pleasure of a good ole fashioned southern cooked meal, Stevie’s Creole Café & Bar has the recipes for your appetite. Located on Balboa and Ventura Blvd this Cajun based restaurant is as good as it gets to Southern dishes. Me, being from Texas I was doubtful at first that a restaurant on the West coast could satisfy my dirty south appetite. The menu has numerous appetizers and entrees to fulfill any taste bud, as well as mixed drinks like their famous “New Orleans Hurricane”(named well before Hurricane Katrina). My entree of choice has been the catfish and grits, if you have never had grits before or never had southern grits I can tell you these are as real as it gets especially with butter and a little salt. Most meals are southern fried and have a little spiciness to it, hence Cajun style restaurant. Other notable options are the calamari with its spicy ranch and many choices of gumbo and po’ boy sandwiches. The prices are pretty high with the catfish ad grits meal priced at $22 but well worth the price. The restaurant itself has a southern feel with wooden tables and chairs, not too comfortable and nothing fancy but they do have a few flat screen TV’s for fight nights and game days. Around the bar area are several pictures of the many celebrities that also enjoy their tasty cuisines. Also, on some selected weekend they have live jazz bands which are perfect for you and your someone special.

Stevie’s Creole Café & Bar
16911 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91316

As the days roll along, we find ourselves upon another sunny weekend in LA. Last we were packed with things to do and lines to stand in. As predicted, our Memorial Day Party on Sunday night at Opera was off the hook, and many had to be turned away. Our apologies to all those who were unable to get in, the pictures are up for you to get a glimpse of what happened behind those closed doors. This Sunday we are right back at it, Entrée Sunday’s at Crimson/Opera.

To pass the time before you head over to Entrée, check out Jazzy’s show at the Temple Bar in Santa Monica. New music by a great performer with a beautiful voice will no doubt make the trip to Santa Monica worth while. If you aren’t familiar, I suggest you do your homework before the show.

Jazzy - In Love

Temple Bar
1026 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica

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