Cool people with cool jobs. On her path to finding her passion, before she became designer, before celebrities began to wear her jewelry, Melody Ehsani used to intern at the White House as a lawyer. While not a bad gig, she knew something was missing in her life. Long story short, her path led her to design and jewelry. She had to go against the inevitable inertia of family questioning her choices, but Melody knows you have to continue to move in that direction if you truly think it is your path and calling. “The only way you can be of service to the world is by being yourself. ”

Behind The Hustle: BehindTheHustle.com | twitter.com/BehindTheHustle
Melody Ehsani: melodyehsani.com | twitter.com/MELODYEHSANI
Propaganda Champ: propagandachamp.com
Creative Contraband: creativecontraband.com | twitter.com/WeAreCC

OCD finished up an insane year with shows in Atlantic City and NYC. Check out this weekend recap! GRIME.

Filmed by Anthony Campusano
Edited by Noah Stack

Shouts to the family Chicago, Danse, Lion, Busy, Tee, and everyone else in the movement!

The Moment you have all been waiting for, a little insight into the FASTEST GROWING Music Label, Movement and Lifestyle in NY. Watch it, see what we are all about and see why we have NYC Buzzing right now like no other team!! go to www.BKLYNSTICKUP.com, buy a BKLYN STICKUP T-Shirt, Sweatshirt, Hoody and Snapback! follow Danse @BKLYNSTICKUP and When they give you Nothing… TAKE EVERYTHING!!!
–Directed by @RoarinLion

It’s funny how we were one of the first sites to ever talk about this kid…and now shit talked to for still supporting….what more can I say? “Its only entertainment!!!”

When he first left Toronto to chase his dreams, Drake just wanted to be successful. Instead he found himself lost in a world that wasn’t too welcoming. Three years later he’s returned triumphant, bossing up and building his T-Dot movement, with more to take care of than ever before. There’s a lot of hate out there, but can a young spitter find love in the heart of the city?

More on Complex.com

This video is so dope! Throwback to the old NYC, yet fresh skating…..created by Chris Mulhern.

Another big THANKS to Chris Webby, The Kickdrums, OCD: Moosh & Twist, Danse Daimons, Boogz Boggetz, AP, Johnny Spanish, DJ Don Juan, DJ Getlive!, Lily Vanilli, and everyone else that was a part of this night!

MTV2 Celebrates Hip-Hop History Month Throughout November with Special Sucker Free Programming and First Inaugural Sucker Free Awards
Featuring Special Performance by YMCMB
Sunday, December 4^th at 11pm ET/PT on MTV2

Starting Today Fans to Vote on “Must Follow Artist in Social Media,”
“Rookie of the Year,” and “The Best Crew of 2011”

To vote for the Sucker Free Awards, click here.

NEW YORK, NY (November 1, 2011) – MTV2 and its longest running franchise and #1 weekly hip-hop show, Sucker Free Countdown, is putting its mark on Hip-Hop History Month with a month-long celebration, including special Sucker Free Countdown and Sucker Free Daily episodes, the second installment of Sucker Free Road to Release chronicling the journey of Maybach Music Group artist Wale, and culminating with the first-ever Sucker Free Awards.

Premiering on Sunday, December 4^th at 11pm ET/PT on MTV2, the Sucker Free Awards will honor the year in hip-hop with a unique look back at the music, headline making moments and personalities that made 2011 so memorable. A total of seven categories will be voted on through a combination of fan voting online and via social media, as well as voting by tastemakers throughout the music and entertainment industry. To vote via Twitter, fans must use #SuckerFreeAwards hash-tag, list the category and their vote (e.g. “#suckerfreeawards #Bestcrew YMCMB”).

Hosted by MTV’s Sway Calloway, the show will feature an electric special performance from YMCMB from LIV Fontainebleau Miami Beach, as well as packages and acceptance speeches from the award-shows big winners.   DJ Envy will also be on hand throughout the night to give fans the VIP treatment from the heart of the action.

Throughout the month of November, Sucker Free Countdown (Sundays, 11pm ET/PT on MTV2) will feature weekly Hip-Hop History Month segments that will highlight the historical accomplishment of hip-hop icons, including delving into the MTV archives for some of the most memorable moments from Yo! MTV Raps. In addition, Sucker Free Daily will air special segments Monday through Thursday that celebrate “Classic Producers,” “Ladies First: Female Hip-Hop Legends: Lauryn Hill, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Lady of Rage” “Best of the West: NWA, Ice Cube, Snoop, E-40 and Too Short,” “Tear the Club Up: Best Party Videos” and “Classic Years: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000.”

Hip Hop History Month kicked off with the second installment of Sucker Free Road to Release featuring a multi-screen takeover by Wale. Throughout the week  fans were granted access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content as he entered the final stretch prior to the release of his second studio effort, Ambition.

The nominees for the 2011 Sucker Free Awards include:

FAN VOTED SUCKER FREE AWARDS CATEGORIES AND NOMINEES:

Must Follow Artist in Social Media – To vote via Twitter, use #suckerfreeawards and #twitterking

• Tyler, The Creator
• 50 Cent
• Fabolous
• Chris Brown
• Lil Duval

Rookie of the Year (Best Debut Album) – To vote via Twitter, use #suckerfreeawards and #RookieoftheYear

• Tyler, The Creator
• Big Sean
• J. Cole 
• Wiz Khalifa

The Best Crew of 2011 – To vote via Twitter, use #suckerfreeawards and #bestcrew

• Maybach Music Group
• Odd Future
• YMCMB
• Slaughterhouse/Shady 2.0
• GOOD Music
• Roc Nation
• Taylor Gang

TASTEMAKER VOTED SUCKER FREE AWARDS CATEGORIES AND NOMINEES:

Artist of the Year

• Jay-Z & Kanye West
• Lil Wayne
• Rick Ross
• Nicki Minaj
• Chris Brown

Classic, Best Album of the Year

• Kanye West and Jay-Z – Watch the Throne
• Lil Wayne – Tha Carter IV
• Lupe Fiasco – Lasers
• MMG – Self Made, Vol. 1
• Big Sean – Finally Famous

Club Banger, Song of the Year

• I’m On One -DJ Khaled featuring Drake, Rick Ross & Lil’ Wayne
• Ima Boss-Meek Mill
• Kanye West and Jay-Z
• Headlines-Drake
• Racks-Y.C. featuring Future

Who’s Got Next (Best Artist without an album)

• Meek Mill
• Kendrick Lamar
• Mac Miller
• Big K.R.I.T.
• ASAP Rocky

Sucker Free has been a staple of MTV2’s programming since 2002. In the past year, the series has continued to dominate on Sundays with over 300,000 total weekly viewers and 200,000+ viewers 12-34; nearly +15% above MTV2’s total day average.  Sucker Free Countdown airs each Sunday at 11am and 11pm.

For more information, visit suckerfreeawards.mtv2.com.

Check out the latest video from our brothers over at Rivals Of Time:

I wanted to pass along the newest video we shot, directed, and edited
for Chad, an upcoming rapper from Harlem.

We met Chad through our brand collaboration with Born Ryders, the new
label brought to you by Darrin Dean, CEO of Ruff Ryders and Darren Dee
Jizzy Dean, son of the Dean’s and brother to Swizz Beatz.

The instant we heard Chad’s music, we wanted to work with him, from
his production (Shout out to DJ Flo and his team) to his lyrics, we
dug his vibe, aura, and music selection. – RiOT

Behind The Scenes:

Rivals of Time Presents: #ShirtFacedStance

“It’s Our Time” Collection

Today is the Modern Day Art Renaissance. From our current state of economic emergency to the effervescent technology boom, a “Creative Wave” is upon us. To many, the Greatest Depression has arrived, but to Artists, the time is now. With every industry at one point saturated, our virtual world has now become an extension of our reality. Welcome to our time.

Art is a universal language. All over the world, Artists with different minds, talents, and passions are waiting to share their vision. We say, why wait? Art is a community of like-minded individuals with a message to better our world. If we stand together, we don’t just build a team, but the opportunity to make a change. Let’s collaborate; Let’s unite; Let’s create the future.

#SHIRTFACEDSTANCE

Virtual Wear has a new found brother, Interactive Wear.

Interactive-Wear is a concept where you’re clothing designs allow you to physically act with your clothing to convey a particular statement.

Interactive-Wear is the “ShirtFaced-Stance” Longsleeve Tee.  Following the steps of the classic “B-boy stance”, the “ShirtFaced-Stance” is when you mimic the posture of a B-boy by crossing your arms in front of you in a strong manner.  Two horizontal stripes will be heat transferred behind both sleeves on the forearm and when crossed in front, it will create a pause sign.  The design of the shirt is reminiscent of a Rugby Jersey to exude the “team” spirit.  The back will have the “It’s Our Time” crest.  Front chest hit “R of T”.

We will be offering this in 3 Longsleeve T-shirts.

Black/White Screen Print

Navy/Cream Screen Print

Military Green/Khaki Screen Print

This will be the first time we will be offering customizable printing where the consumer can choose what color their varsity stripes will be.

Be on the look out this week via our Simple Shop!

Special Thanks to our models and to Robbie Mendoza for a Classic Design!

Still Photos will be released via Andrew Hur‘s Instagram all week! See it via his Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and personal site!

Just wait til we release his “Rival of Time” influence on our Collection!

stay rivalin’

MGK sits down with Karmaloop TV to talk porn….raging….and more!

Shouts to the homies!! Alexander & Virgil have relied on the help of their friends to provide advice, trends and recommendations within their urban-culture site, RubyHornet.com. From fresh fashions to rising music artists, Alexander & Virgil have utilized their friends’ influence to help sculpt their visions of content and make their passions become a reality.

Step into the studio with Jim Jonsin as he bangs out beats on the 808s and talks about his goals as a producer. For more watch ‘The DUB Magazine Project’ Sundays, at 1p/12c on MTV2.