"All The Ugly People Be Quiet!!!" -Beautiful People Of Brooklyn Dedication Video

So here's the story, I was working on a video (which I have to still finish BTW) based on my "adventures" so far this summer, when ANOTHER idea came to me, and I got distracted and started on THIS video you're about to view now. That freakin' fist pumpin' Chris Brown song was in my head (for some odd ass reason) so I used it to edit the clips around. Anyways, long story short, I hope you enjoy my "beautiful distraction". LOL! This is dedicated to the wonderful world called Brooklyn courtesy of the Block Association. @theBlockAssoc on Twitter & theBlockRSVP.groups.facebook.com on Facebook...obviously!

"America The Beautiful!" -Captain America Review

I must admit, I was NOT excited in the lest bit to hear about this movie coming out. Not that I'm not a Captain American fan or anti-patriotic all together, it's just that I was STILL shell-shocked from the last attempt at a Capt. America movie years ago. However just like I did with the X-Men First Class movie early this summer, I just went with an open mind and plus it was getting good reviews. So here goes mine. First what worked for me; The intro finding his shield encased in ice was dope and a great nod to the comic book origin of how he was found after all those years. Next, the skinny kid from Brooklyn turned muscle bound international hero was genuine. It made you wanna root for ol' Cap before he was even given the super serum. Also the tone and the WWII setting was the right choice to tell the story. Throwing him in a modern environment would have seemed forced. The director give great clues to the history of both Capt. America and (Iron Man's father) Howard Stark's involvement with weapon development and winning the war. Also dope was the respect paid to the original costume, Cap's sidekick "Bucky" and the Red Skull's look...awesome! Cannot complain about any of those things! But what I will complain about are these. I never felt Cap was in any real sense of danger throughout the movie. And as great as the Red Skull looked his line weren't classic villainy at it's best. I would've been dope to me if they took "Inglorious Bastards" meets "Indiana Jones" w/ Capt. America as the main hero! Now that's a movie! What Cap's real challenge was was defeating Harry Potter at the box office. Now THAT was impressive! Oh yeah, and the Avengers after credit teaser at the very end! I give it 3 1/2 out of 5 M's

"Get Into The Party Life" -We Bumping Like "OTIS" On Repeat!

I was seriously thing about going to this! I'm a fan and I've only seen him perform once which was a WHILE ago we he first started buzzing. I'm pretty sure his show is a BEAST now! And I wont be shocked if a "special guest" jumps on stage w/ him tomorrow night!

Thursday July 28th
"Ryan Leslie LIVE!"
@ S.O.B.'s -204 Varick St.

7:30 doors -9:00 show
Tix $32.00 in advance $35 day of

THIS Friday the Block Boys have the honor of opening a NEW spot located right in the shadow of that huge stadium been built for the Nets (and a Jay-z retirement concerts I bet). Right on the SAME block as the old Vinnie's Styles location this venue will be our newest digs on Friday nights if all goes according to plan! PLEASE support on our/the venue's GRAND opening night and every Friday afterwards! Oh yeah peep the prices and the budget friendly menu!

Friday, July 29th
and EVERY Friday afterwards!
"the Livingroom" @Machavelle -602 Pacific St. near Flatbush and 4th Ave
9pm-3am
Music By the Block Boys
DJ Trauma, DJ Frei, & Danny Ocean
Food served kitchen, NEVER closes!

MENU:
Chicken wings & finger ($6 each), Fried shrimp ($8),
Wraps (buffalo, chicken caesars, veggie, shrimp) ($6-$10)
Crab cakes ($12)

Wine ($5-$8) a glass
Draft beer ($4-$5)
Bottled beer ($4-$7)
Signature drinks ($7-$10)

"the Class Reunion" will NO longer be held at Luke's Pl. on Friday's PLEASE make note of this. An all NEW event will be located at the venue/ info above


Then you have TWO choices on Saturday (one really if you only miss w/ the block).
The first is the gig DJ Trauma has over at the Brooklyn lounge staple Deity over on Atlantic Ave. He'll be doing a guest DJ set this Saturday that probably will end up with him doing a residency once they hear him spin. LOL!

Saturday, July 30th
"Deity Saturdays"
Deity -368 Atlantic Ave.
11pm-4am
$10 cover charge
Music by DJ Trauma...DUH!

Then...
You know that nostalgic feeling you get when you hear a classic 80s-90s jam? Well, Ten Project got the legendary Rich Medina on board to deliver that experience all night at Southpaw. So come ready to dance!

Saturday, July 30th
"the Body Rock"
SouthPaw -125 5th Ave
Doors open at 10pm
Music by Rich Medina
$10 all night 21+

Advance Tickets Online: HERE
Dress code: This is not a costume party! Dress how you want!
Throwback Photobooth available
Spinnin' all your favorite 80s/90s Hip Hop & R&B hits all night long

"Ka-F**kin' Boom Baby!" -Black Dynamite Gets 'Tooned On August 8th, Can Ya Dig It?

Yo did you ever get a chance to peep this flick Black Dynamite? I'm not into comedies (I usually see the joke coming) but something about it being a parody of those '70 flicks peaked my interest. And I must say it ROCKED man! Funny how just the other day @pleasedontstare, @djtraumanyc, @myounglao, and myself (@theMreporter) were all going back and forth on Twitter, with memorable lines from this joint, and now I'm hearing that they're making this into CARTOON!!! I KNOW this definitely is NOT coming on early Saturday mornings! LMAO! I beg of you, go rent...f**k that, go BUY the DVD it's truly an underground classic!

"Hold Up! Wait A Minute!" -Any Given Sundae On Pause, So Put Down Your Forks!

Grave news folks! Our uber Sunday brunch soiree' "Any Given Sundae" (that WAS set to launch this Sunday July 31st) will be delayed sorta like how "Watch The Throne" was however like pre-sales you can STILL RSVP here on Facebook, so you'll be the very first to know the official official kick off date! Word is the chef (& NO that's not him pictured) is still working on a few signature dishes to perfection to set the menu apart from these other lame-o brunches just trying to get you drunk on the Lord's rest day. LMAO SoCo wants your experience to be the great FOOD that soaks up all that liquor that keeps you coming back! Yet they DO have a rather tasty sangria & apple crumb Mimosa. I hope that that's NOT the chicken (pictured) that they plan on serving with the red velvet waffles that they have over there!!! PLEASE we're asking for your patience, we're waiting to make this happen just like you! If you ever pass by SoCo ask them "Where's the brunch?"

Truely yours,
On behalf of Mike Mancini, MIH Ventures, DJ CEO, & the entire Block Association family..

"Men In Black!" -The Block Boys On A #HotelFlow Tour!

So about two Mondays ago the Block Boys (the Block Association men) invaded the Influence Series (3.0) curated by Mike Mancini & DJ CEO hosted at the TriBeca Grand Hotel on Mondays. So if you know ANYTHING about the Block one thing for sure is that we like to do things BIG! A CC e-mail floated around about our look for the night, and the "Reservoir Dogs" look came up the clear winner (I was rooting for that anyways). The occasion was that this very blog and myself were being honored for being a staple in our social circle, so damn near the WHOLE team (Frei, Carlito, Che Davis, Cory, Keith Major, Silky Valente' and DJ Trauma *not pictured) & extended family and friends came out to support the cause. After the celebration we moved the whole bloodclot squad over to Beauty & Essex for a late night bite and more laughs, and an extended b'day party for our newest homegirl Danielle Chase!

"(Room) Keys Open Doors!" -NEW Hotel Flow This Tuesday! We're Checkin' in!

There nothing like a sexy hotel lounge party in New York City right?!? And summer is the PERFECT time to enjoy them correct? So you see where I'm going right? Yep you guessed it the Block Boys (the Block Association's male members) will be invading yet ANOTHER hotel lounge EVERY Tuesday starting tomorrow night at the uber sexy Bryant Park Hotel's Cellar Bar during the convenient work week hrs of 9-2am! SWEET right? Just enough time to run home get right and get back before your hangover kicks in. LOL! Am I lying? The Rat Pack era movement continues July 26th and beyond!

The Block Boys, IXP, the American Hype,
along w/ the Minority Report NYC present

"RSVP" Respondez S'il Vous Plait
@ Bryant Park Hotel Cellar Bar -40 W.40th St betwn 5th & 6th
9pm-2am
Music by the Block Boys
DJ FreelikeFrei /DJ Trauma /Danny Ocean
All drinks will be half price from 9pm - 9:45pm
2 for 1 Martinis (ladies) from 9:45pm - 10:30pm
Dress in mature summer time apparel

"Watch The Throne (Movie)" -Behind The Making Of Summer's New Soundtrack

It's not like I wasn't gonna BUY (or download the bootleg) the Watch The Throne album anyways, but this just release mini-doc has sealed the deal for me! Hopefully the long form version will be released w/ the music in digital form come August 8th on iTunes! BTW the tour dates (I saw this one coming) for the album are posted below, so start camping out on line PRONTO!

9/22/11 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills
9/24/11 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
9/25/11 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
9/27/11 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
9/28/11 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
9/29/11 Washington DC Verizon Center
10/4/11 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
10/6/11 Chicago, IL United Center
10/7/11 Chicago, IL United Center
10/8/11 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
10/10/11 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
10/13/11 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
10/14/11 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
10/16/11 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
10/17/11 Sacramento, CA Power Balance Pavilion
10/19/11 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
10/20/11 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
10/21/11 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
10/25/11 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
10/26/11 Houston, TX Toyota Center
10/29/11 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
10/30/11 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
11/1/11 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
11/3/11 Boston, MA TD Garden

"Get A (Social) Life!" -More Weekend Funtastic Stuff

If you're free TODAY and feel like channeling your Elementary School playground days, we'll be playing kickball at Prospect Park. It's going to be a ball (pun intended) and you can get you work out on at the same time!

Location: Prospect Park (Grand Army Plaza)
Time: 11am sharp -1pm

OR...

FREE Every Saturday in July
Gates Open at 5pm
$5.00 Suggested Donation @ Weeksville

Enjoy outdoor concerts in a unique and family friendly historic oasis. Experience cutting edge music performances and flavorful food from a curated group of New York City food vendors.

The Garden Party Vendors include: NY Dosa, Wafels and Dinges, Nhà Tôi La Table Exquise

This is event is SOLD OUT!!!
But you may wanna parkin' lot pimp on by to...

the one year anniversary of GRITS & BISCUITS!

GRITS & BISCUITS V – One year in the game!
@ Music Hall Of Williamsburg
Featuring DJ Square Biz
Doors open 10 pm
For who: (Kinfolk) Me and you, your momma and your cousin too!

For those who know….leggo!
If ya don’t….you wont know till you go!

#gritsandbiscuits
www.gritsandbiscuits.com

"Get Into The Party Life" -Stylin' On 'Em!

FINALLY in Brooklyn, the Dandy Lion photo exhibit is opening in the MoCada space today!
What's a "Dandy Lion" you ask? Well a Dandy Lion: is an articulating a Re(de)fined Black Masculine Male...Their words not mine! LOL. And for the picture posted here it appears to be that I'M one of that bunch! So come out support a brother, and get me off that rusty fence hustling!

Opening Reception TONIGHT!:
Thursday, July 21
MoCada -80 Hanson Pl.
6 - 9pm

Curated by:
Shantrelle P. Lewis

Photography by: Hanif Abdur-Rahim / Kwesi Abbensetts /Laylah Amatullah Barrayn /Russell K. Frederick /Cassi Amanda Gibson / Akintola Hanif /Jamala Johns /Dexter Jones /Phillis Chizoba Kwentoh /Jati Lindsay /Amanada Adams-Louis /Brandi Pettijohn

THIS Friday we're inviting out different fashionable/stylish and artistic folks to dine & dance as we host the return of "Class Reunion!" That fashion & music networking dinner party first started two yrs. back. Well without further ado, here's the info for this event hope you enjoy!

EVERY FRIDAY!
"the Class Reunion" -Dinner & Dance party
Luke's Place -277 Cumberland St. (corner of Lafayette St.)
9pm-2am
Music by Danny Ocean, & the Ahficionados,
hosted by a collective of fashionable folks
Admission "FREE like Frei" all night
Food & drinks served till 12am.

Wanna celebrate a b'day w/ a dinner party?
contact us at theMreport@gmail.com w/amount of guest
it's FREE of charge

Yessir! The iconic fashion staple of Brooklyn is having a SWEET BBQ at there newest location, now moved further up Flatbush Ave., in the shadow of the Nets/Barclay Stadium. If you've haven't been then NOW 's the time to go peep their new digs while picking out clothes and a burger or two from the backyard grill. The bonus is that ya man Free like Frei (the Ahficionados/the Block Association) will be man-handling the set for this affair. Be dressed right, it IS a clothing store still!

Sat. July 23rd
"Vinnie Styles BBQ"
V.S.-239 Flatbush Ave. off Bergen St.
6-10pm
Music by Free Like Frei
Sponsored by:Phat & Juicy Burgers, Ciroc Premium Vodka, Brooklyn Wine Co.

After the Vinnie's BBQ is done Saturday night, we'll be moving the party over to Luke's Place for an after party, to continue the fun times and drink and eat some mo'!

Sat. July 23rd
"the After Party"
Luke's Place- 277 Cumberland Ave. near Lafayette
10pm-3am
Music by Danny Ocean & Free like Frei
FREE ADMISSION

"Drop A Bomb To That" -New Hovie & Yeezy "OTIS" Watch The Throne Single Is Out!

Just yesterday I posted a sarcastic rant about how these two cats had fans holding there breath waiting in vain like (Bob) Marley for them to drop SOMETHING sonically from their highly anticipated collabo release "Watch The Throne" (not to be confused with "Game of Thrones" on HBO). And low and behold I hear this track "OTIS" (produced by K.West) that has them going back and forth lyrically like an Olympic level ping pong match...Chinese players of course! Listening to it I can't help but think of that Kanye line from "Touch The Sky" where Ye says "Jay's favorite line: Dog, in due time. Now he look at me, like, Damn dog, you where I am!" And look he's made a whole album rapping along side his idol! Now THAT'S a MF'ing come up If I saw one, right?!? BTW peep the screaming at the end of the song, I'd sware it's Kanye SO excited that this is FINALLY happening! LOL

"OTIS"-Jay-Z & Kanye West


"Try A Little Tenderness" -Otis Redding

"Say Wizard! Voldemort's Gone, A N***a Dead!" -Harry Potter's Deathly Hallows Pt.2 Review

Part Matrix, part Star Wars: Episode 3, part Lord of The Ring: Two Towers, and a lil' Raiders of the Lost Ark...this LAST Harry Potter film threw everything but the kitchen sink into the foray to wrap up the long anticipated conclusion to the 11 part series. And it was WELL worth the wait! Truthfully speaking I'm sorta glad that I never took the time to sit down and read the book versions. I think it would've spoiled by my pre- conception of the characters and the plot would've been ruined for me knowing the out come. And what an outcome it was! The director who'd handled the last three before this one, hit it on the mark with the tone and mood that the films NEEDED to be taking seriously more than a tween fantasy book. Though the main characters are young the situations are VERY adult. Don't get it twisted alot of people DIE defending Harry! Young students at that! But the movie deals with that very maturely, and you get a good sense of the grave nature of why Voldemort must die. But I must say I was a bit disappointed in the ending, if I had to nitpick something "bad" about the film, but it was poppin'! I know my friends are gonna joke on me for saying this but (deep breath) Yes, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt.2 was POPPIN'! There I said it. They should've named this one "Hard Hittin' Harry Potter!" LOL. I'm givin' it 4 1/2 out of 5 M's. Now poof! Be gone.

"Watching, & Waiting, & Waiting..." -Watch The Throne's Tracklisting & Production Cred...Sheesh!

As the world awaits the constantly delay/pushed back/re-tweeked album collabo from Jay-Z & Kanye West. SOMEONE at the label thankfully was kind enough to leak AT LEAST the G** damn track listing w/*bonus tracks and the production credits for this thing! FYI peep the TWO Frank Ocean features on the album...NICE!

01 No Church In The Wild f. Frank Ocean (prod. Kanye West & 88-Keys)

02 Lift Off f. Beyoncé (prod. Kanye West, Mike Dean, Jeff Bhasker, Q-Tip & Don Jazzy)
03 Niggas In Paris (prod. Hit-Boy, Kanye West, Mike Dean & Anthony Kilhoffer)
04 Otis f. Otis Redding (prod. Kanye West)
05 Gotta Have It (prod. The Neptunes & Kanye West)
06 New Day (prod. The RZA, Kanye West, Mike Dean & Ken Lewis)
07 That’s My Bi**h (prod. Q-Tip, Kanye West & Jeff Bhasker)
08 Who Gon’ Stop Me (prod. Sham “Sak Pase” Joseph, Kanye West & Mike Dean)
09 Murder To Excellence (prod. Swizz Beatz & Symbolyc One)
10 Welcome To The Jungle (prod. Swizz Beatz, Mike Dean & Ken Lewis)
11 Made In America f. Frank Ocean (prod. Sham “Sak Pase” Joseph & Mike Dean)
12 Why I Love You f. Mr Hudson (prod. Mike Dean & Kanye West)
13 Illest Motherfucker Alive (prod. Southside, Kanye West & Mike Dean) *
14 H.A.M (prod. Lex Luger, Kanye West & Mike Dean) *
15 Primetime (prod. No I.D.) *
16 The Joy f. Curtis Mayfield (prod. Pete Rock, Kanye West & Mike Dean) *

"Speech! First Of All I Wanna Thank My Connect..." -Come Join Us & Give A Toast To The A**Holes (the Block Boys)

Ok, so ya boy (that would be me, the Minority Report
/Danny Ocean) & my team (the Block Association) are FINALLY getting recognized by our peers for the "grind" that we put in on a daily basis within the small, yet creative, community that we socialize in. Sooo been that it's NOT every day that we get honored, we decided to turn it into a BIG celebration! Oh and I'm inviting YOU to join in the celebration right along with us...
OBVIOUSLY! Get dressed cause, we're going out then we're going IN!

Monday July 18th,
the Influence Series 3.0
Tribeca Grand Hotel -2 Avenue of Americas
6pm-11pm
Our arrival time 8pm
& Departure 10:30

Hosted by the Block Association
Sounds by DJ CEO, the Ahficionados, & DJ Trauma
Atmosphere Directed by Team Mancini Lifestyle & DJ CEO
Custom Cocktails by Jackson
GUYS: We're doing the Reservoir Dogs look (hence the pic) if you wanna keep in step with us! Blk pants, white shirt, blk tie, simple.

After party/late dinner/photo shoot at BEAUTY & ESSEX -146 Essex betwn Rivington and Orchard St.

"You're Geekin' Me Out!" -Dope Updates On Movie Greats

Hey Harry (Potter) I know you gonna break all types of box-office records an all this weekend but truth be told I'm already on to the next one with these HIGHLY anticipated movies lined up coming out. Now don't get it twisted I respect your long fruitful 11 movie run and all but THESE joints below are more my speed. Besides I NEVER read one single book, but again I respect your "Star Wars like" hustle bro. Funny thing about all this is Warner Bros. ownes ALL these joints anyways, so it's a WIN WIN for them no matter HOW you look at it. And for those living under a rock for all of 2000's I'm speaking of the last(?) Nolan version of Batman, the sequel to Sherlock Holmes, and OF COURSE the next J.R. Tolkien Hobbit joints (the original J.R. Rowling). Just look at these posters makes me wanna "geek the f**k out!"

"We're Having A (Food) Orgy" -YES People, "Any Given Sundae" Brooklyn's Largest Sunday Brunch Party Returns July 31th!

With a show of hands HOW many folks got the opportunity & pleasure to attend and experience the Sunday evening brunch that the Block Association & MIH Ventures pioneered last summer down in DUMBO? DOPE right? Well I am here to tell you and proud to announce that "ANY GIVEN SUNDAE!" WILL be returning starting Sunday July 31st at an ALL-NEW just opened location, w/ and even better menu, and an brand new addition of hosts! In a relatively small amount of time AGS become the stuff of legend to party going elite, that like good looking company & LOVE good music even MORE! This time around we're ex-ing out the movie portion and adding on guest table hosts, musical performances, and dress themes as replacements. So we're giving you ample time to get yo s**t together and join us. Why? Three words...Red Velvet Waffles!

Sunday, JULY 31st 2011
the return of "ANY GIVEN SUNDAE!"
Brooklyn's Biggest Sunday Brunch Party
SoCo restaurant -509 Myrtle Ave near Grand St.
3pm-8pm
Hosted by MIH Ventures, Micheal Mancini,
& the Block Association
Music by DJ Jon Quick, DJ Trauma, the Ahficionados,
Danny Ocean & DJ CEO
Voice overs by Silky Valente'
Dress Casually Mature!!!

#AnyGivenSundaeBK on Twitter
@TeamMancini, @theBlockAssoc, @DJCEO, @Major_Mov, @DJTraumaNYC, @FreelikeFrei, @Ahficionados, @theMreporter, @Jourdainracing, @SilkyValente, @HAElifestyle,

"Guard Ya Grill!" -the Startin' 5's BBQ Video Replay Suckers!

Last Saturday I was making plans to attend that Pimps of Joytime/Navagante joint that went down at Brooklyn Bowl. HOWEVER the G train was acting like a BI**H so plan B was the next course of action. Which SHOULD'VE been plan A for the jump! Let's me rewind a bit. About a week ago my boy Jay (Jason Smith) hit me on Twitter about posting an invite to his annual StartIn' 5 BBQ event he has (who know? obviously not me) every year. And me knowing how hungry/thirsty folks get around summer time in search of that next poppin' BBQ, I warned him "You SURE you want me to do that kid!?!" Well long story short it was Planters cashew NUTS in there! And here's the footage to back it up! Start it UP! LOL

"Internet Killed The Radio Star!" -New Tracks To Groove To; NaS, Cee-Lo, & Frank Ocean

I think is SO crazy how at one time I used to stay up late posted up by the radio, half sleep half woke, finger in position to hit play/record at the first hint of a new song being played! Now with this ol' Internet invention I simply just cruise around my favorite music sites/blogs, or just type in the title of a new song by the artist I'm digging and BONG! It's in my playlist in a matter of seconds!!! Now I'm not mad at change it's just that the excitement of first hearing a track and then the hunt to get a clean, no DJ voice over version is forever LOST. But enough abut me being an old man, I'm joining the wave and putting you on to some new joints out that I'm personally digging right now via that SAME internet thingy.

"Dreamkilla"-FRANK OCEAN


"Bridges"-CEE-LO GREEN


"Ghetto Dreams"- NAS Ft. COMMON


"Nasty" -NAS

"Rock'em, Sock'em Robots!" -Transformers 3 Review

Yeah I finally gave in and joined the rest of the WORLD it seems (based on the box office returns) and decided to see the latest edition to the iconic childhood film rendition of Transformers (3). The first one I saw as an in flight movie. The second I'm embarrassed to say I paid for. And this current one I gave into peer/media pressure and gave it the benefit of the doubt. But as I learned in life "No one benefits for doubt!" Now though I felt this was NOT terrible, however I did feel like I lost some brain cells on this third go round. But hey, what did I expect from a Micheal Bey summer movie? The King's Speech?!? The dialog will leave you scratching your head but the action scenes more than make up for the first grade play like script. AND the use of 3-D was some of the BEST I've seen so far from a movie using the technology yet. While sitting in the theater I couldn't help but to think of past Bey movies ESPECIALLY the Bad Boys films and thought if you just replaced Smith & Lawrence with the Transformers and threw in camera angles and lens flares from that Armageddon movie then BONG! You pretty much have you a Transformers movie! Am I right? Yeah right? This is 3 1/2 M's out of 5 tops!

"Flashing Lights" -Paparazzi Pics (Pt.257)

Now this event for yet another NBA draft party held at the Hiro Ballroom that happened some weeks ago brought to you by my man Anton Marchand, but I've been SO swamped with work that I'm FINALLY just now getting around to posting them up. At first I was hesitant but my boy Carlito insisted that he was getting hounded by people looking and expecting to see their photos up, I gave in and said "F**k it, hey why not?" So without further ado there the 2-3 week old pics that "the world" has been patiently waiting for.