Alright, our economy is in the shithole. That said, it’s often hard to justify–I don’t know–a $250 scrap of leather to protect your precious new iPhone 3G or any pair of shoes over $100. But wait. There are two exceptions.

1). As pictured above, Louis Vuitton’s fly Damier Graphite Sneakers ($595) will impress just about everyone in the urban-hipster NY scene. The “checkers” are subtle enough so you don’t feel trashy rocking anything blatantly LV, yet easily identifiable as a high-end LV product. Not going to lie, it looks like the good folks at Louis V took some notes from our Parisian friends, Lanvin. The shape of the shoe, laces, and even front resemble a pair I just purchased a few weeks ago at Barney’s for $630. Which pair’s hotter? That’s up for you to decide.

2). Also pictured above, LV returns to the scene with a new iPhone case. Thank the lord. (semi-sarcastic) The first two cases the company introduced were severely flawed. The first was the classic monogram canvas style, which means a). it looks fake and b). in my opinion, is just plain ugly. The second, dubbed “taiga leather” felt like plain plastic, and was maybe a little to understated for my willing-to-spend-$250-to-protect-something-that-costs-$199 self. Well, look no further. The new Damier Graphite iPhone Case ($250) satisfies both your need to look fly without looking classy, as well as your desire to protect your baby iPhone from scratches and smudges

Both products are available online at eLuxury or at your local Louis Vuitton boutique.

As you can see in the above promo picture, your girl Michelle Williams is breaking from gospel to a more edgy, pop-disco sound. Earlier this week, her song “We Break The Dawn” leaked via the internet. I’m not even going to front–I’ve been blasting this song everyday on repeat. The thumping bass and raspy vocals are enough to get the entire club moving. I also had the chance to listen to another single that leaked earlier today, titled “Until the End of the World”. Check out the two tracks below. Michelle’s upcoming album Unexpected is set for a summer release. This is certainly a project I recommend to everyone!

Listen: Michelle Williams- “We Break The Dawn”

Listen: Michelle Williams- “Until the End of the World”

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Hey! My name is Patrice and I’m your new ‘Music Review-er-er’ here on Killed That! Enough about me though….

THIS WEEK

FLO’RIDA’S TENTH WEEK ON TOP

Flo’Rida’s club hit ‘Low’ is spending its tenth week on the top of the charts. Personally, I think the song is mediocre. His lyrics are all about ass. And more ass. And a tattoo above an ass. And a girl shaking an ass. But I guess the fact that T-Pain is on the track means something. Chris Brown is holding the #2 spot with his slow joint ‘With You’ and Five-Head [Rihanna] has the #3 spot with her techno crap ‘Don’t Stop the Music’. Someone please answer my question. When is Rihanna going to sit her ass down somewhere? Doesn’t she realize her 4.5 mintues of fame is up? 

CONTINUE READING THIS ENTRY »

Kanye started this trend, and you’ve seen everyone from A-Trak to Paris Hilton rocking a pair. They’re the ubiquitous Shutter Shades–that is, redesigned Alain Mikli shades that first hit the scene in the ’80s.

Let’s face it: every hip-pop trendsetter wants a pair of shutter shades. Up until now, the problem has been that they were extremely exclusive and therefore expensive. A pair of these shades could have cost you more than a thousand bucks.

But now, enter ShutterShadesOnline.com, the premiere boutique for these so-called “shutter shades” that come in 6 colors and a variety of sizes. SSO retails these ’sunglasses’ for just $25 big ones… so cop a pair while they’re still in stock!

P.S. SSO recently made an appearance at the Bread and Butter fashion trade show in Barcelona, Spain… Kanye’s shutter shades trend has officially taken the world by storm!

Guys carry a LOT of stuff around with them on a daily basis—pens, computers, books, iPods, iPhones, BlackBerries, notepads, cigarettes, condoms, mints…you get my point. Every guy on the go is faced with the dilemma of where to put all the stuff he hauls around. In pants pockets? This works—as long as you’re wearing cargo pants, which are fine if you can wear them, but often look bulky when pockets are full. How about in jacket pockets? Fine again, but this style also looks bulky when eight million things are stuffed in each opening. So what is the modern man to do? Continue wearing unflattering, bulky clothing? We think not.

Instead, invest in…gasp…shock…A MAN BAG. That’s right, a bag, a murse, whatever you want to call it. Why, you ask? For the stylish city dweller, having everything but the kitchen sink on hand is essential. And what better way to carry everything than in a well-made, fashionable bag? So what if bags are conventionally women’s territory? Man bags are more sophisticated and grown up than backpacks, which are often associated with tourists. And fannypacks…let’s not even go there.

Why you might want to: Bags are no longer just a female accessory, and many labels offer masculine versions free of the elaborate decoration of a women’s bag, and options abound to suit each style. For the logo lover, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Dior Homme all make bags covered in the brand’s signature print, in both messenger and tote styles. Fearless logo devotees have been seen carrying monogrammed Goyard bags, including the women’s St. Louis tote. For gentlemen who prefer more subtle styles, Bottega Veneta makes leather messengers and totes in its renowned woven structure, in addition to sturdy canvas bags. For the true fashionista, Balenciaga’s Men’s Day and Weekender bags are hugely popular for among the fashion elite. YSL makes both briefcase and weekend bag versions of its women’s Muse bag, in addition to carryalls and zippered totes. If exclusivity and lack of a logo are two stipulations for you, then Valextra—which makes luxurious leather bags without a logo in sight—and T.Anthony, famous for its canvas bags—are perfect for you.

Why you might not want to: Maybe you lack the confidence to carry a bag? There aren’t many reasons why you can’t or wouldn’t carry a bag—unless its pink, sparkly, or obviously for women, go for it. If Snoop Dogg can do it, so can you.

I’m really feeling this new single by The-Dream. It has Atlanta written all over it, and Fabolous definitely adds to its crossover appeal. The-Dream’s debut album, Love Hate, hits stores October 16. Oh yeah, and did you know he wrote Rihanna’s “Umbrella” in under 12 minutes? We’ve got a genius on our hands…

PHOTOS BY WALIK GOSHORN FOR KILLEDTHAT.COM

Last night, Kanye West gave a select group of industry folk an inside look at his forthcoming album, Graduation. I was one of the lucky few to be able to attend the event, and am now giving you all an inside look at the album Kanye claims is “one of hip-hop’s Top 10 best records”.

The record begins with “Good Morning,” a chill introduction track during which ‘Ye proclaims his inadequate grades in college, yet flaunts his sharp sense of style–ultimately pronouncing himself the “fly Malcolm X”.

“Champion” is undoubtedly the dopest track on the album. According to Kanye, its one of those “personal theme songs” that allows people to take their minds off depression and struggle and focus on being productive.

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Welcome to the first edition of NEED TO COP! This is the first of many album reviews to come on Killed That.

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t able to listen to Talib Kweli’s new album, Ear Drum, until just now. It’s been an extremely stressful week filled with applications (shout-outs to COLLEGE!), work (what’s going on Def Jam?), and reading a terrible book. Well I’m finally here and ready to share my excitement for this amazingly well-put-together album. Ear Drum has to be the freshest hip-hop album to come out this year.

I’ve never been one of those “Hip Hop Is Dead” advocates, but after hearing nothing but “A Bay Bay” and “Crank That Soulja Boy” this entire summer, I was starting to worry this genre had lost all its creativity.

Well, not to fear, ladies and gents. Ear Drum is without a doubt Kweli’s best. He sounds free at last, and the album just shines. Guest producers will.i.am and Kanye West bring smooth production to the table, and collaborators Justin Timberlake, Norah Jones, KRS, and Jean Grae add even more flavor.

Ear Drum will definitely give Kweli the mainstream attention he deserves. I’m not a huge fan of “Hot Thing,” his current song on the radio (It sounds like an attempt at selling out), but the video is extremely creative, and a lot of people have been digging it.

You’re going to need to get the entire album for the full Ear Drum experience; it flows really well from start to finish. But I understand some of us are on tight budgets, so in that case, I’d recommend “Hostile Gospel, Pt. 1,” “Soon The New Day (Feat. Norah Jones),” “Country Cousins (Feat. UGK)” and “Give ‘Em Hell (Feat. Coi Mattison & Lyfe Jennings)”.

Album Rating: A-

Oh, and you thought we weren’t going to hook you up with an audio exclusive?

Listen: The Nature (Feat. Justin Timberlake)