" Lost in the World "

Somehow Kanye's frequent friday, punctual releases for his new album "G.O.O.D. Ass Job" has been interrupted by an unexpected leak. The start of the song is an auto-tunned master peice. It's Gorgeous. But the corny 80's pop rock beat ruins it for me. Luckily the African drumming brings me back to believing it's a good song. But it's Kanye...so...I knew he wouldn't fail me. Enjoy...............(Christopher Colas)

Striking all the right chords

Corduroy is probably one of the hardest materials to wear properly. It comes in odd colors, and it has a tendency to stand out. But, dont let this stop you from wearing this material. Here's one way to wear corduroy. I bought some chocolate Levi's corduroy slim straights, but being that the weather has been so hot, I never got the chance to wear them. Today was the perfect day. I paired the corduroy pants with a cream and brown striped henley, a J. Crew shawl collar cardigan, Nike Dunks, and Chris's reader glasses (hey, you left em at my house, I might as well enjoy em a little.)

"It's A New Day"

How exciting!!!!!(extremely childish voice). Asher Roth : The one-hit wonder, who made college life seem greater than it already is. WRONG. Asher Roth is more than that. His new Messages are ones of self betterment(not saying if that's his best look). Sure, his freestyles about smoking Marijuana and chillin' are great but, he's changing a little bit. Maybe he's recreating an R-Kelly movement(Hood to gospel to hood again). Either way Asher Roth's G.R.I.N.D. (Get Ready It's A New Day) is one to remember. Get ready for his new album entitled "Spaghetti Tree". Enjoy..........(Christopher Colas)

Quiet Dog

Here's a pretty cool song by Mos Def. Nice and simple....Enjoy.......(Christopher Colas)

" Cool Kicks"

The Sebago shoe company recently ( like 2 months ago ) teamed up with the biggest fashion blogs and have created different shoes to resemble the blogs' personalities. Personality in design and personality in oneself is important. The shoes are deffinately individualistic and unique. Displayed below is a pair of Sebago boat shoes inspired by the french "Cool Cats" Blog Enjoy..............(Christopher Colas)

The Henry

Supra footwear. Some debate that Supras are a "dress" sneaker. Some say that the shoes are simply great skate shoes. With the recent release of Supra's "Henry", Some might argue that Supra Footwear manufactures amazing boots. Recently dropped in stores September 21st; we just have to see what the consumer thinks. But, for now, I'm content with my pairs. Enjoy....................(Christopher Colas)

"Bang Bang!!"

Here's a cool Freestyle by Chiddy Bang.I thought this was pretty sick. Download Chiddy Bang's mini-mixtape entitled "Air Swell". There are only 7 tracks on it so it can't be that hard to get a listen to it. Enjoy...............(Christopher Colas)

Progress

“Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.” - Epictetus

A well-rounded person is what we should all strive to be; well-educated, well-spoken of, and well-mannered. If all aspects of an individual's characteristic, whether it be social or personal, defines his or her own path to success, proper appearance should and justly be equally regarded. Simply put, dress in the manner that you would like to be addressed. "Punk", "business type", "gangsta", "hipster", "rich boy", "trustafarian", etc;. -choose your label. But what label of dress defines the well-rounded man? The Black Ivy presents to us a rendition of how the well-educated and cultured man should appear. Although some pieces may seem a bit ostentatious, I believe this is a step in the right direction and "cut-and-sew" brands take note, educated is the new 'gangsta'. -Ricky

Force Unleashed 2

I never thought that a video game would make a post on the blog, But this game is extremely intriguing. Im assuming the character that kicks the most ass is the min character. Anyway this

looks like a buy in my book....Enjoy...............(Christopher Colas).

THIS is rap!

I was having a conversation today with my co-workers on who was the greatest rapper ever. One of them kept using earnings figures and album sales as criteria. I dont believe that, sales mean nothing. Heres an example, this is Curren$y's new album, Pilot Talk, it may not be at the top of the sales charts, but this album does not disappoint.
My favorite song off the album is "The Day" with Mos Def and Jay Electronica.

It just reminds me of Miami for some reason, I don't know why. It just feels like the song you play at night while driving.
Another great song is J Cole's "Just Begun (Reflection Eternal)" with Jay Electronica and Mos Def (again!, Jay Elect and Mos are becoming a dynamic duo) there are a couple other artists, but I'm not 100% sure because the internet is saying multiple things, but ill assume Talib Kweli was in it, because it sounds like him. Just listen!, this is what I mean by today's post title, this is rap!

"W" (pronounced Dubb-yuh)

We are all familiar with the big "Dubb-yuh" ( Will Smith), and his great cinema and film career. He also dibble and dabbled in music but we need to be paying attention to the little "dubb-yuh": Ms. Willow Smith.

Only nine years old she is already a signed recording. As soon as Jay heard her track, he knew he had to add her to the Roc Nation family. In an interview he actually compares her to Michael Jackson, saying "She's a child, she has child's innocence but she has a clear vision of what she wants and who she wants to be."

Many have compared her to Rihanna but I think I going to compare her to myself. ( I mean we do have the same hair cut!!!) The only difference is I'm not nine and Im not signed with Jay-Z. (We'll just leave at those two).

In any case enjoy this!

Big Things Poppin

To me, some rappers are fads, others will become legends. Those that prove that they have mastered the art of wordplay, poetry, rhythm, and rhyme will always have a place on our ipod playlists for years to come. This sort of artist does not appear often. Some will argue who is the greatest rapper alive, but tell me, is it the album sales or the album's message that matter most? Is it the rapper's marketing ability or rhyming prowess that matters? Just some food for thought.

Right now, one of my favorite new artists is Big Sean. His lyrics aren't as profound as Jay Electronica, nor do his verses contain the insane wordplay of Lil Wayne. He is somewhere in between both, a "hood" artist with a very self aware personality, and at the same time, someone who's all about the money, cars, clothes... you get it right! And don't doubt his skill, Kanye West gave Big Sean 16 bars to rap, and in that time, he managed to impress KANYE WEST, who eventually signed Sean to a contract with GOOD Music. Now if you are able to impress Kanye West enough to give you a contract, without a mixtape, you have to be an amazing lyricist. And that he is, Big Sean's mixtape showcases the many sides of Big Sean's personality, and his lyrical prowess. Just listen! This is "Who Knows" with Big Sean, featuring Mike Posner (not the Mike Posner that sings "Cooler Than Me.")


Pick up his mixtapes, Finally Famous Volumes 1-3 and wait for his album, Finally Famous, out November 16.

"I'm gown do ma own dance"

To all my females who want to feel empowered and feel the need to beat up a male(not that I encourage that)...listen to this. I say this is pretty catchy and cool. Always do your own dance and go with the flow of yourself. Be expressive and be the leadeer of your pack. Mapei rips the tack. Look for her album entitled "Cocoa Butter Diaries" If you don't know by now (-__-); the name of the song is "Leader of the Pack". Enjoy..............(Christopher Colas)

Bunny Hopper

I found this on a blog that I frequently check out. I figured that anything that I can't do to save my life, is pretty cool. Nigel Sylvester; the "BMXer" is amazing and daring..I couldn't X out of the screen. I'll leave it up to you though....Enjoy............(Christopher Colas)

Runaway Love

I don't know why...But I do. Why what right? I can't figure out why Kanye West features Justin Bieber on one of his latest tracks. The result? Excellence. The catchy beat, Bieber's chorus, Raekwon's verse and Kanye's fun lyrics make a sound we can call....music. The song somehow reconnects me to the 90's. Either way Kanye's Album (Good Ass Job) is one of the most acclaimed this year. If the other songs are as good as this track...well....let's just say the album won't be an illegal download...Enjoy............(Christopher Colas)

Michael Stevenson

Tyga is one of the biggest names in new and upcoming rap. In my opinion, he is one of Young Money's best rappers. Tyga is originally from Compton, California. Of course we know of Compton providing us with great artists such as N.W.A. and the Game. But now we can add Tyga to that list.
Despite that, he breaks the "Compton Stereotype" of rapping like them. Still a little raunchy at times, he raps more about having fun and his party life. Check it out for yourself. Here's G- Shit featuring Chris Brown. Enjoy.. (Leon)

A Day in Burlington

Becoming a college student has been a very different experience for me. Moving from New York to Vermont is something I would have never imagined. I'm here to stay for 4 years. A couple miles from school lies a small urban town called Burlington. There're tons of small sneaker shops, poster boutiques, and cafes all throughout Burlington. Last night I actually had Thai Food in that small urban niche. Heres a day the Backpack Boys are caught relaxing and enjoying burlington. Enjoy........(Christopher Colas)

Fall styles

Okay, fall is upon us, and school as well. Now September is a great month in terms of weather, you have your hot days and your slightly cooler days, so its okay to go short-sleeve, just be ready when the weather suddenly changes!
For example, I wear a hoodie vest on particularly cool days, or at night when its cooler.
Here I am, with an H&M hoodie vest, Jimmi Hendrix shirt, Levis skinnies, my Green G-Shock, and Nike Airmax 24-7s
But what about when you need a little bit more warmth? Well...how about a jeans jacket? Jeans jackets are coming back in style, and you can find em in many colors, and dont worry about matching them to your jeans, its not aways necessary!

Here I am wearing a white jeans jacket, an LRG V-neck tee, Levi's skinnies, and Supra Skytops. It was a little chilly out today, so I was happy that I dressed warmer than usual.

And when it starts hitting mid fall and winter stars creeping up, dont always go for the thick winter jacket, layer and wear a scarf, believe me, its much more comfortable.
Here's Chris, with a thick cardigan and a scarf, great mid fall attire, to keep you warm and fresh. As the seasons progress, so must your style..........(Matt Farmer)......

Shredded

Who says fashion is all put together??

This is me in a mens flannel shirt. In realization to the end of Summer, the shirt has the sleeves cut off and asymmetrical slits in the back. The shirt is a heavy material making it a contradiction to itself. (Heavy material-time for winter. Cut offs and slits-Summers not over yet!!)

Make fashion your own. :)

Photo By Curtis Bryant

Shirt by LaShaia Artis

Brian "Ricky" Tan

One of the most important things at college is simply meeting people. Meet Brian Tan, the newest Backpack Boy. Call him Ricky Tan. He lives in the same hall as me but on the third floor. Joyce Hall!!! Ricky is from Jersey and is into style, skateboarding, and old skool hip-hop. But here's Ricky.....(Leon)