King of Food in Queens

The smell of gyros fills the air as you trot into one of the most famous Greek restaurants in New York. The sight of the giant chunk of tantalizing lamb on the rotisserie only makes your mouth water more, as you grab a seat on one of the cracked leather stools.

Fontana Famous Pizza & Gyro has been around since the late 80′s and although times may have changed, the quality of all the food has remained constant.

“I’ve only been working here for about four years now,” said one of the servers,” but it felt like I was joining a family here, whether it’s the employees or the regular customers, everyone just gives off a great vibe.

Fontana’s is located on 200-02 Northern Blvd in Bayside, Queens, and is known as the go-to gyro place among the five boroughs, and the authentic menu is the reason why. One of the few chefs prides himself on keeping the cuisine simple and easy. “Why change? a quote that was always told to me ‘Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change’, I’m still not sure how to understand that quote ,but I’m pretty sure change wouldn’t be welcomed here.”, he said as he laughed.

The official meaning of a gyro is simply a pita, filled with meat and salad, but a Fontana’s gyro is so much more, both in taste and experience. The fluffy pita roll is stuffed with steamy, perfectly salted lamb meat, and topped with fresh iceberg lettuce, bright white onions and the reddest of tomatoes. And of course what’s a gyro without tzatziki sauce, which is a mixture of Greek yogurt and cucumbers. All yours for just $7.00. On any given day, a trip to Fontana’s will find one shouting an order at one of the red shirts behind the counter over the joyfully loud conversations often held by Greek natives, which surprisingly isn’t annoying as you here a burst of laughter fill the restaurant, wishing you spoke just enough Greek to get the joke. Though they are happy they are able to share a bit of their culture albeit just the food, with people of so many other ethnicities.

“I think it’s great, other people enjoying the food that we’ve been eating for centuries, even if it’s just the basics like gyros and souvlaki,” explained Charles S., one of the regular customers at Fontana’s. The only bone he has to pick is how people pronounce the famous Greek sandwich; “It’s pronounced ‘yeer-oh,’ not ‘gye-row,’” he exclaimed while waving his hands back and forth as if to strengthen his point.

Queens, is widely known as one of the most diverse places in the world– while strolling down a single block, several countries and cultures can be shared and represented. Just a bus ride away from this Greek staple is one of the newly popular hobbies in the area, Hookah. Layla Hookah is located at 181-34 Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows, Queens, and is one of the most popular hookah bars in Queens. Upon entering the large corner side property, you are immersed in another world and more specifically another culture, as the loud music changes your entire attitude. What makes it different from most hookah lounges is that it doubles as a restaurant. “That’s why I love this place; sometimes I don’t even come in here to smoke, just to grab a 10-piece wing and some fries, than I’m out,” said Stephen Tsakas. The steak is cooked perfectly, and the banana-nutella crepe may just be the best you’ve ever had, not too shabby for a Hookah place.

Hookah is a Middle Eastern tradition; it is a single or multi-stemmed instrument for smoking flavored tobacco, called shisha, in which the smoke is passed through a water basin (often glass based) before inhalation. In recent years, it has become popular in the United States, as a means for young 20-somethings to sit around and hang out– somewhat of a social event.
“I do it because it’s fun. I love doing tricks with the smoke, and it’s nice to just chill with some friends for a few hours outside of the house, and it’s a pretty cheap date,” added Stephen.
A 90 minute session is at least $12, for the flavor of your choice which includes pineapple, vanilla, strawberry, watermelon, and countless others. After choosing a flavor, you are presented with a unique instrument (the hookah itself), along with a mouthpiece, to enjoy the fruity smoke as it billows out of your mouth.

Young women, similar to bartenders walk around endlessly making sure everyone’s coal is burning smoothly and drinks are constantly refreshed, keeping the customers happy as they enjoy this experience with their friends and families. As the smoke from the hookah hose becomes more and more thin, the fun soon mellows out and comes to an end. Though the smoke disappears into thin air, the memories are yours forever, and not to mention the fruity smell of your clothing.

(featured image source:Flickr.com)

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Bags for Big Men on Campus

Before you know it, school will be back in session and that Superman backpack is getting old and won’t work out too well in college. Backpacks are one of the few essentials of school that allows you to show a bit of personality everyday. Here are a couple of bags that are sure to make you the cool kid on campus.

Herchel

(Source: selectism.com)

Who doesn’t love the Herchel bag, the cotton canvas and leather accents make for a stylish and more importantly durable bag. The reasonable prices doesn’t hurt either. These bags are popular among college kids, as they even carry tablet and laptop sleeves. With the recent Stussy collaboration, it’s clear that Herchel is making the right moves.

NorthFace

(Source: Jimmyjazz.com)

Plan on going hiking or camping in the jungle for a while? Well it doesn’t really matter, as NorthFace has become a staple in middle schools and high schools, and you can’t go far without seeing kids with them strapped to their back. All of the cool kids have them; don’t you want to be a cool kid? (P.S. – the Hotshot is the coolest.)

Jansport

(Source: Amazon.com)

Jansport backpacks have been around since 1975. Feel old eh? It was probably the bag that you had in elementary school, and if you were lucky you even had the suede bottom. The brand with the infamous burgundy logo and navy background is known for being durable and is a classic brand. Pick one up to be a part of history.

J. Crew Abingdon Messenger

(Source: jcrew.com)

J. Crew is relatively new is the retail world, having its first brick and mortar built in South Street Seaport in 1989.Since, J. Crew has opened a total of 300 stores and is now one of the top specialty retailers. If you’re looking for a more mature look, or plan on taking your bag to the office. A messenger might be the right choice and look for you.

Givenchy

(Source: Bergdorfgoodman.com)

Is money not an option? Or do you just like having high end accessories? Either way, when your personal assistant is holding your MacBook , or it isn’t in your Maybach, this would be a great option for you. This Doberman print canvas is similar to the other animal inspired pieces Givenchy has released. After all, a dog is a man’s best friend, right?

Speedo

(Source:kiefer.com)

Speedo, ya know, that embarrassing mankini that your dad wears? They also make some pretty solid backpacks, that won’t break the bank. You may not be able to win gold medals like Phelps and Lochte, but you can sport some of the products that they endorse. And it’s pretty obvious, who can make a better water resistant bag, than a company who has made millions off of bathing suits.

(Feature image source: onabags.com)

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Same Old Weeknd ?

Raunchiness, enigmatic, and transcendence.

That’s what changed R&B as we know it.

True feelings, life stories, a recognizable voice and  vulnerability is whats encompassed by R&B.

But is it vulnerability or cockiness?

The rawness of “I deserve your body on my mattress “ is cockiness at its pinnacle

Get me off of this, I need confidence in myself

Even though you don't love me

Vulnerability doesn’t exist unless its hid under an ego, boasting about your current girlfriend cheating on you, to which you respond by doing the same, counts as that.

This is The Weeknd, he who is the torch bearer for a new sonic sound for r&b.

Deeper, sadder, and nocturnal.

The enigmatic figure that was discovered near the end of 2010 has since put out three critically acclaimed mixtapes, House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence. All of which consisted of artwork reminiscent of darker tumblr images.

Each mixtape bests the last because it ready’s you for the next.

The trilogy is a movie, full of slow drowsy and dark songs that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster when fully immersed.

How can that be topped, other than remastering the 3 works adding more lush sound, deeper base and more pain?

Not forgetting the spice of a new refreshing song following each of the mixtapes, sort of like breaks between 3 novels about some of the greatest parties that had ever occurred.

Greatest might be a stretch depending on who you ask, the codeine  filled sexcapades may scare some, while others wish they could be a part of the this exciting underground world that The Weeknd called home.

But can it really seem like a party if youre always there? Or do things become tiring, to the point where you have to seek daylight and tell the world of the dangerous tales you’ve lived through. And when you do, is it boasting or an autobiography?

The Weeknd is just a 20something showing the R&B world what he has to offer, which he himself has said he isn’t  apart of. The only thing R&B about him is the singing, and everything else is cinematic.

Cinematic means motion pictures, yet The Weeknd didn’t release a music video for nearly two years after being introduced to the world. However, all he cares about is bringing you into his world, and knows it will be nothing like you’ve ever experienced-this, easily conveyed in the opening lines of his first track on House of Balloons

You don't know what's in store
But you know what you're here for
Close your eyes, lay yourself beside me
Hold tight for this ride

The first 2 songs ever released under  The Weeknd moniker were Loft Music and a chopped and screwed version of The Morning, posted on the OVO blog. Octobers Very Own, which is headed by fellow Canadian, Drake. Who also provided a platform for The Weeknd to spread is wings in more ways than one. Even before being introduced on the traffic-heavy blog, Drake made it okay for hip-hop to be emotional, even when it includes misogyny. The Weeknd decided to capitalize on the latter,and though it is a popular topic in rap, you’d be hard-pressed to find another singer that creates anti-radio songs as easily, which are filled with curses and bragging.

Though Drake and The Weeknd are polar opposites when it comes to topic,they mostly certainly are musicians that take their crafts very seriously, not to mention the stellar production by both camps. Drake relies on long time friend Noah “40” Shebib for his introspective and heart felt beats.Abel relies on the masterminds named Doc Mckinney and Carlo “Illangelo” Montagnese, to spew out his high pitched notes about countless loose women and lifes adventures.

But will the world get tired of these adventures, or has the Weeknd experienced enough fame, since his arrival to dare I say, evolve?

Or will a new environment just enable him to do what he has been doing at a much larger scale?

I got a brand new place, I think I've seen it twice all year
I can't remember how it looks inside, so you can picture how my life's been
I went from starin' at the same four walls for 21 years
To seein' the whole world in just twelve months
Been gone for so long I might have just found God

Either way, The Weeknd is a polarizing figure of our generation, in an age of transparency, and the dwindling idea of celebrity privacy which seems to be an oxymoron. In the age of the internet there have been no paparazzi pictures of him, and we’ve only seen him in videos released by the XO camp.

Presentation matters to the Weeknd.

As his fame grows, the price of his privacy will as well, but we all wonder how he will adapt,or more importantly, the fans?

Tesfaye knew that not putting a face to the drugged-up body of work would allow the publics mind to roam free.

The devil is in the detail, and The Weeknd controls every aspect of his image, at least for now, fans may feel different once he becomes more of everyone’s, and less of theirs. A situation he spoke on over a year ago.

Until you're used to my face
And my mystery fades
I got you
So baby love me
Before they all love me
Until you won't love me
Because they all love me
I'll be different
I think I'll be different
I hope I'm not different
And I hope you'll still listen

Being caught in limbo like such, makes it hard to really compare him to people like How to Dress Well, Frank Ocean, and JMSN.

As the money grows, it is a mystery whether or not the underground will be able to cope with added notoriety.

After the final installment of the trilogy dropped in December of  2011, people had these fears about The Weeknd’s stardom and wondered again if he could do it again without it being cheesy and repetitious .

And the answer is yes.

The answer couldn’t even be fathomed until “Enemy” was released near Halloween, how fitting.

Armed with a budget, courtesy of his new label, The Weeknd was now able to  what he’d been doing, just at a larger level, and this can be seen with the production of Enemy.

Tesfaye, back to his old ways, samples The Smiths’, by begging a girl during the chorus, saying

“Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want this time”.

The first words he utters after doing his infamous harmonizing is “I’m Back,I’m so back,” signaling that he’s returned to his braggodocious, womanizing ways, thus giving him inspiration for new material. This is his only freebie released aside from his remix of Drake’s “Trust Issues”

Fast forward 8 months, and a string a features  with Wiz Khalifa,Juicy J, French Montana, and brethren Rich Hil, The Weeknd is back,to change R&B again.Nearing the summer, KissLand was released.

Though the Trilogy was full of innuendos and dirty talk, The Weeknd held no punches  on Kissland , a nearly 8 minute song, in typical  Weeknd fashion.

The album art speaks for itself, reading KISSLAND in neon lights, seemingly advertising a seedy Hotel filled with questionable activities. This imagery comes to light, or should I say darkness upon listening to the title track.

(Source:billboard.com)

Not only is the beat sinister, with eerie funhouse sounds, but a looped sample of a women screaming  is played throughout the song, as the Weeknd  repeatedly attempts to coax a girl that she shouldn’t  hold back, and she should just let it out.

The song slows down towards the middle as Abel fills us in on how much his surroundings have changed over the past year,but his behavior hasn’t .The only catchy part is at the end  when he repeats

This ain’t nothing to relate to

Even if you tried,you tried,you tried

Though catchy, it’s hard to determine whether he is bragging or just signaling that the life he leads is dangerous to even attempt to emulate. This snippet was on Youtube, aptly titled John Carpenter, an homage to the horror film director

Soon after Belong to the World video was released by MTV, which already signals the type of song it would be.

The upbeat song attempts to introduce Abel to the masses, and he attempts to put one black boot in the pop world, while steadily holding the other to his underground roots.

All backed by a Portishead sample, making for a creeped out beat. He attempts to be coy but comes off blunt as he spews off about his typical topic of money hungry women, though this time it doesn’t seem to be beneficial to him.

I know you want your money, girl
Cause you do this every day, okay
The way you doubt your feelings
And look the other way

The cadence and harmonies of this song make it memorable, but reading the lyrics aids in the realization of what he is actually talking about.

I'm not a fool
I just love that you're dead inside)
I'm not a fool, I'm just lifeless too

But perhaps The Weeknd is evolving, but the only way he can talk about his current situation is by comparing it to the past

But you to taught me how to feel
When nobody ever would
And you taught me how to love
What nobody ever could

 I know I should leave you
And learn to mistreat you
Cause you belong to the world
I want to embrace you
Domesticate you

Is the Weeknd learning to treat women differently ,or is this a metaphor for the mainstream to accept him. If the music business belongs to the world, and Abel is unable to make it is own, perhaps he is questioning if the benefits outway the risks, and he is better off sticking to what he knows best, because after all, we all know that business and music can never be mixed, for it just taints the art and is never the same.

The song could be synonymous with the girl being a prostitute, all she wants is money, just like the music business. He knows he should leave, or he will wind up getting hurt. This offering for the mainstream music business may blow up in his face and he realizes it wasn’t meant to be, and he resort to his old ways , which culminates on songs like Wicked Games.

If House of Balloons is the Party that everyone is invited to, and Thursday consists of the mischievous details after a lot of the party ended, because nothing good happens after 2am. And Echoes of Silence deals with the repercussions of the sinful and carefree night, what is next?

Do you decide that it’s time to grow up and move on with your life, moaning “Im never drinking again”whilst your head is in the toilet, or do you say “screw it I’m young” and live it up adding to the arsenal of morning-after tales., knowing that you won’t be young forever?

Who knows. But we will find out  August 27^th.         

August 27^th will be judgment day for the Weeknd, to determine if he can surprise fans again.

Because after all,we just want good music right?

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Is it a Born Winner?

Born Sinner, J. Cole’s second official offering as Jay-z’s protégé and ROC Nation signee aims to show Cole’s true and pure talent. But will this talent be respected and upheld by his peers, and most importantly his fans?

The heavily introspective album begins with a boisterous Sunday morning-like choir singing

“I’m a born sinner, but I’ll die better than that.”

Cole’s very first words uttered are

“It’s much darker this time”

in a very somber voice, showing that he knows it is time to show and prove his talents, as if it wasn’t enough to release his album on the same day as the overhyped “Yeezus”. The album does get pretty dark but Cole ironically boasts his talent while rapping about the rocky journeys of life with lines like

“My pops was club-hopping back when clubbing Rick James was out and all I get is Trinidad James.”

Aside from Cole himself, the only other rapper featured on the album is the newly crowned king of the West Coast, Kendrick Lamar. Though Kendrick doesn’t lend of verse of his own, he adds to the melodic and simple chorus, conveying the message that nothing is forever. The smooth track samples A Tribe Called Quests’ Electric Relaxation by way of Ronnie Foster’s Mystic Brew

Often times, artists are unable to live up to the hype, resulting in a forgettable sophomore LP. However Jermaine’s situation is like many rappers nowadays who are unable mature into the single-selling, radio-playing sing-songy artists that money hungry labels profit off of and yearn for.

Cole fell victim to this system upon release of his debut album “Cole World: The Sideline Story”, when records like “Work Out” and the Trey Songz assisted “Can’t Get Enough” are the singles that the record labels forces out of him, after “Who Dat” didn’t satisfy them. Even though it sold over 218,000 copies and earned him a Grammy Nomination, Cole himself acknowledges the pitfalls of his debut album, with these sentiments shared by Nas.

Nas wasn’t completely satisfied with what J. Cole used as a single, which was the catalyst for Cole to make “Let Nas Down“, dedicated to the Queens rapper. The ode to rapper he looks up too shows his own musical insecurities, as he recounts admiring Nas at his peak

“Used to print out Nas raps and tape ‘em up on my wall/ My n*ggas thought they was words, but it was pictures I saw,”

says Cole over the jazzy saxophone looped beat, which also samples Fela Kuti.

Cole’s eclectic choice of samples don’t stop here, as he uses the  1990′s Outkast classic “The Art of Storytelling Pt. 1.” on the 3rd track of the album, titled “Land Of The Snakes” where Cole offers his perspective on the ever popular topic of more money more problems. As girls become less than trustworthy as his fame grows, so does his expectations of them, even mentioning how a awkward run in with an old college flame from St. John’s University, leads to her calling him a misogynist. Cole boasts this behavior, with

“My little black book thicker than the old testament”

and also delivers one of the most clever couplets when referencing Mr.Cee, one of New York’s most historic DJs being caught with a male prostitute, several times over.

“The same reason they call Mr. Cee ‘the finisher’ 
Forbidden fruit, watch for the Adam’s apple”

Cole redeems himself of this behavior with the help of TLC, on what is sure to be his biggest pop hit yet “Crooked Smile”, an ode to women around the world, as he pleads with women to accept themselves for who they truly are. Though the concept has been seen before and is a bit cheesy, Cole refuses to sacrifice his lyrical ability, with lines like,

” Oh, you a woman? I don’t know how you deal/

With all the pressure to look impressive and go out in heels/I feel for you/

Killing yourself to find a man that’ll kill for you.”

Crooked Smile may be the most joyful and uplifting song on the album, where Cole ironically speaks on someone other than himself.

The most somber and intimate song on the album is “Rich N*ggaz“, who J. Cole expresses his distaste for the aforementioned. The peaceful and simple beat, not made up of much more than a looped harp and the sound of rain bouncing off of nearby windows. Cole makes up for this simple beat, with some of his most touching lyrics on the album. Including the realization of his mother’s dependence on drugs and men, namely his step father, who Cole wishes no harm on, but if he were to die in a plane crash, he would be happy. The artistic imagery he references about Nas, comes full circle as Cole tries to mentally stay “afloat,”

“Try to ride the storm out and crash the boat
Could have drowned but I grabbed the rope”

The ocean references fit perfectly with the sound of water in the background and one can almost imagine J. Cole grasping onto the person that was once him.

That person is a Born Sinner, and the title track ends what seems to be a story of J. Cole reminiscing on the good and unfortunate that has occurred in his life, all in a hope to figure out where to go next, now that he has fame and money he knows that there is more in this Cold World.

The question remains, is Born Sinner a good album? Yes, it is an album filled with quotables, amazing production that shows J. Cole is honing yet another craft, and is stuffed with complex lyrics to keep any hip-hop heads or rapgenius.com connoisseur happy.

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