This image just leaked of a 50 Cent promotional van selling copies of the rapper’s new album, Curtis. Since Tuesday, Kanye West’s Graduation has lead the competition, outnumbering 50’s sales by more than 100k. Some stores are even reporting 2:1 Kanye-to-50 album sales.

Could 50 Cent be taking matter into his own hands? I wouldn’t be surprised if he bought 300,000 copies of Curtis just to earn the right to put out another solo album.

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…

Apple revealed a serious iPod upgrade Wednesday morning, and even tossed a fresh player into the lineup.

The new mainline iPod, now called the classic, offers a top-heavy 160GB of storage, unthinkable just a few years ago. “The first iPod put 1,000 songs in your pocket — this new iPod classic can put 40,000 songs in your pocket,” said Steve Jobs.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Apple unveiling Wednesday is just like the iPhone, the iPod Touch. Users of the iPod touch will enjoy a sensitive widescreen and easy finger-touch navigation of music, photos, movies, television shows, and other media. Another extra touch involves Cover Flow, a highly visual, album-based scroll that makes browsing a more dynamic experience. That feature is also available on other iPods, as well as the iPhone, though nano users must use the scroll wheel to sift through the covers.

Additionally, users will enjoy embedded WiFi connectivity, a first for the iPod. That means realistic internet surfing on a Safari browser, and access to offerings like YouTube, Google, and a myriad of other destinations. “The iPod touch is a landmark iPod, ushering in a whole new generation of features based on its revolutionary multi-touch interface and built-in WiFi wireless networking,” said Steve Jobs during the unveiling. So, upon entering a Starbucks location, owners of the iPhone and iPod touch will gain instant wireless access to the iTunes Store, without a login requirement or connection fee. The gratis access will initially roll in New York and Seattle in early October, and gradually spread across other US-based locations through 2008.

The iPod nano has now been converted to accommodate video playback. The updated player sacrifices the narrower shape of the previous nano to accommodate a broader screen. The result is a more stout device, and a larger, 2-inch display. That introduces playback of movies, television shows, and other video assets, and also creates a more dynamic interface for music, photos, contacts, and other non-video materials. “We’ve taken the most popular music player in the world and added stunning video playback,” said Steve Jobs.

As usual, Apple timed the releases to perk excitement among holiday buyers. In that light, Apple is dropping the price of its 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399 for the holiday period, a move that will make the device more tempting for cost-conscious buyers. The 4GB iPhone is being discontinued.

The 160GB player retails for $349, while an 80GB device is offered for $249. A 4GB version is available for $149, and an 8GB player retails for $199.

The upper-level player comes in a number of colors, including silver, black, blue, green, and a (Product) Red special edition.

Rumor has it there is a new iPod coming out…

…so don’t even think about buying an iPod between now and Sept. 5. Apple has invited the press to a “special event” next week in San Francisco. And as usual, Apple won’t say what it plans to announce. Or much of anything.

The invitation, titled “The beat goes on,” includes an image of a man, in silhouette, dancing with an iPod on the cover of an album displayed in the style of Apple’s “Cover Flow” feature, which allows users to flip through their music on their iPhones or desktop computers.

What else do I know? Apple’s new iPod, or iPods, could include many of the features introduced with Apple’s iPhone, such as a large, touch-sensitive display, which isn’t available on today’s iPods (unless you count the iPhone). And it could sport an aluminum skin, to better match the metal and glass sheathed iPhones and iMacs introduced over the past few months.

Under its shiny new skin, new hardware and software, such as a slimmed down version of Apple’s OS X operating system and a flash memory drive, instead of the current iPod’s mechanical hard drive, could keep the new device thin and light. And if Apple jams a Wi-Fi receiver into the device the new software could allow the iPod to include the ability to browse the Web and send and receive e-mail.

But in truth, Apple could be introducing anything music related. Jobs once summoned the press to Cupertino to cover the surprise launch of a set of iPod speakers. Keep it locked on killedthat.com for the latest updates on the new iPod.

OK, so instead of doing my work for school, let’s discuss a MAJOR trend for Fall: PATENT LEATHER SHOES. Normally I associate patent with fetish suits (or is that vinyl??). I digress. Patent is burning up in stores right now—for girls and guys. This is one trend to transcend the gender barrier, and designer are rolling out patent shoes for both sexes. Look for shoes guys’ shoes from Valentino, Bottega Veneta, and APC for inspiration.

Why you might want to invest in patent shoes: Patent is HOT. But hot is not always good. Patent could be another flash in the pan trend that is super hot for 30 seconds and then fades out. Who wants to drop $$$ on shoes that might not even last the season (aka until spring?) Guys, rest assured: patent may be here to stay for a while. This past spring, French house Lanvin unveiled a patent tassel loafer in a bevy of colors for men, which sold out across the world almost instantaneously. Patent can add a twist to a mundane outfit, or ice the cake on an over the top one, depending on how it’s worn.

Why you might want to stay away: Patent is HARD to wear, especially for guys. It’s been around for girls’, but is relatively new as a men’s style. And patent is not for the faint of heart. Confident dressers will not have a problem pulling patent off, but for those just getting started on upping their fashion game, take it easy. One way to integrate patent without going all out would be to wear something with a little bit of patent—for spring 2007, Lanvin also did a slip-on sneaker with a patent toe. This is a good way to wear a trend without sacrificing classic style. Slip-ons have been around for ages, but adding patent updates them without going to far (ie looking like a fashion victim).

Final verdict: The jury’s still out on this one. Patent shoes are certainly fashionable, but can guys pull them off without looking too effeminate? I think I’ll stick with my Gucci loafers for now.

This week has been extremely exciting in terms of new music. Both the Kanye and 50 albums leaked within a few hours of each other yesterday (A coincidence? I think not.) My boy Nile has the full scoop on that for you.

Check out the first edition of NEW MUSIC FRIDAY. Be sure to send me tips and new music at killedthat@gmail.com. It may just get featured next week!

Note: to visit the Myspace pages of any of the artists below, simply click their photo icon.

Kanye West- “I Wonder” This is by far my favorite song off Graduation, Kanye’s third studio album. The sample is extremely well done. The production is amazing, and Ye’s lyrics are on-point. Well done for a College Dropout!

The-Dream feat. Fabolous- “Shawty Is A Ten (Remix)” The-Dream really knows how to throw a party song together. The song did pretty well this summer, but getting Fabolous on the remix is really going to give this song the push it needs. Dream’s use of the voice box has me thinking… would T-Pain approve? Dream’s new album, The American Dream, hits stores October 16, and he claims it’ll go at least platinum. I’m going to have to see what else he has in stores for us before I cosign on that…

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Today marks the two-year reunion of the devastating Hurricane Katrina. Our hearts go out to all those effected by the disaster.

There are mixed feelings about whether or not the United States’ government has made any progress in rebuilding New Orleans. While many schools, businesses, and other commercial property have been reopened, hundreds of thousands of residents are still either homeless or living with family in other areas.

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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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