via Terry’s Diary

This is dope for one main reason. Besides “Complex” being the only print publication doing things right, the cover doesn’t really look like a traditional magazine cover, but look at it and then you’ll see the elements of a magazine cover. “Complex” always thinks outside of the box.

Today, as I perused different mediums, I saw two interesting tattoos. The first one is a five-point star on the top of Birdman’s head… Do you, Birdman. The second is a tattoo of Nicki Minaj (below) on someone’s back.

The first thing I though of when I saw this was, “What an idiot!” The tattoo artist –and I use artist loosely– didn’t even do a good job. The ink looks more like crayon and that Nicki looks a little more like Lil Kim.

Next thing I thought was why? Nicki Minaj is not, at all, at icon status. Don’t get me wrong, I like her as an artist, but she hasn’t really made a real impact. What justifies her being immortalized on your body?

Those two thoughts combined lead me to my point. If the photo or depiction of someone of a Nicki Minaj caliber is dope, then why not put it on your body? If someone likes an image for artistic reasons or its meaning, then I guess it’s okay. But the tattoo better look good, not like the jackass’ below.

As a blogger, I get invited to shows from time to time. Sometimes their flakey or just too hard to actually get a ticket before their all gone. 50 Cent’s show for Myspace at the Highline Ballroom is on of those shows I was offered a ticket to. Only problem is I’ll never know if the offer was genuine because I didn’t respond. Main, and only, reason being I’m not in the city right now.

Anyway, here are some really great shots of the show from various points of view. Photography by Michael Park Photography. Lots of pics when you read the rest. Click photos to enlarge.

Leo Burnett Hong Kong came up with this print ad for a hot-yoga class (Literally, the room is at a high temperature).

Clipse – “Door Man” (produced by The Neptunes)

KAWS, who’s done the single-artwork for the duo, has been commissioned to create the album art for Clipse’s next project. I must say that it’s not my favorite. Actually, I really don’t like it. It’s too plain and the colors don’t do anything for me. It may look different in print but we’ll see on Dec. 8.

I’m starting a new series called “Because It’s Dope.” Whenever I feel like it, I’ll just post something with this title, that’s dope. It’ll be anything from sneakers and art to gadgets and music. It’ll be pretty random but always dope.

Need I say more?

Digital Graffiti Wall + Stencils from Alex Beim on Vimeo.

Everything in hip-hop is digital -from music to beef- including graffiti. The video shows a screen that responds to a digital spray-can. They are adding other graphic images as well which makes the marriage of digital art and street graffiti so ill. It’s really hard to scan a wall you spray-painted so this might be a good alternative.