How To Make It In America!!! I don’t have the answer to that, unfortunately, but I do know I am SURELY going to make it. I also have a great suggestion for you: tune into HBO on Sunday nights and watch the new series, How To Make It In America. The premise is pretty much two friends, Ben (Bryan Greenberg) and Cam (Victor Rasuk), trying to make in the big city of New York. They are far from content with their current lifestyles so they are incorporating a bit of street smarts with a bit of business savvy. Cam and Ben have, thus far, found themselves trying to start a denim company, bartering and borrowing from everyone willing to help out. The show has been amazing so far and it’s only four episodes in so if you haven’t been watching, it isn’t too late. They have yet to divulge the secret of how to make it in America, although that is what I’m patiently waiting for. The series has already featured the likes of John Varvatos, Kid Cudi, and Eddie Kaye Thomas so I can’t even imagine what the upcoming episodes have in store for viewers. If you want to catch up to the rest of the world before episode 5 on Sunday, just click here. That’s if, of course, you want to make it.

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Who better to speak on Black History, than some young Black entrepreneurs like that of The Brooklyn Circus and LateBoots? M&N recently linked up with Bev, Colin, and Sham to kick off our Black History Month Project. It was only right to start off with people doing so much to remain upwardly mobile. Check out the video below and take a look at the photos from that day on our art blog.

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I really love books and magazines. Vogue, GQ, fiction, autobiographies, and even books for dummies. I love them all. I sometimes find myself in Barnes and Noble for hours just browsing through the aisles. I end up sitting at a table with a dozen books and mags to look through but on my most recent visit, I decided to pick some things up. As it stands, I’m an upwardly mobile business man…But I want to be a business…Man! Knowledge is power and I realized there is only but so much knowledge I can gain if I don’t actually leave the store with books to read at my leisure. So I did just that. I picked up 3 books on business and just success in general:

1: The Lords of Strategy: The Secret Intellectual History of the New Corporate World by Walter Kiechel III

2: Money Talks Bullsh*t Walks by Ben Johnson

3: Never Eat Alone and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz

As I read these books, I’ll be taking notes and posting useful information from time to time so stay tuned. That is, if you don’t go out n get these books yourself. Oh and I picked up the newest GQ Magazine as well. It features Kobe Bryant, Drake, and even McLovin himself, Christopher Mintz-Plasse. I had to have it… *Kanye Shrug*

That’s what Kanye said, anyway. I personally agree with him though. It is Black History month, but as quick as it began, is as quick as it ends. Hence, this post. Black History is ongoing. Regardless of the fact that the month is coming to a close, we have to keep the history going within ourselves. Street Etiquette got the memo with their new “Sewn From the Soul” editorial. It is an amazing fusion of photo and video paying homage to some major figures in Black history from Gordon Parks to Miles Davis. The photos are meant to emulate the spirit and style of such individuals and in my opinion, they pulled it off wonderfully. I especially enjoy the “Next Generation” segment with the photos of young Jeremiah. Thank you Street Etiquette. You gentlemen are making Black History and I hope we can come together and take it to another level. The Brooklyn Circus is another team of great people making Black History. Through style and character, they have not only become one of the most respected establishments in Brooklyn, but they also bring something unique to the lives of their consumers; a refreshing experience. I have much respect for them as a whole entity and as individuals. Check out their Black History month post here. They emphasize that it is so much more than a month, which leads me to my main point. M&N are spotlighting folks like that of Street Etiquette and Brooklyn Circus through photographs and video. We are capturing people speaking about three major things; their feelings on Black History, the inspiration they get from it, and how they will contribute to it. You may be wondering why we chose to start this during the last week of the month, and that is simply because it will be something that doesn’t end on the 28th of February. It will go beyond that. If you or someone you know is interested in such a project, please point them in our direction. I had a very busy weekend gathering footage for this project and the posts will start this week. Don’t get confused though folks. We are NOT going to stop spotlighting other people who aren’t of African descent. The site will go on as usual. We are just paying homage. We are just trying to make Black History every day…We don’t need a month…

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Santos Party House has the most fitting name of any night life entity I have ever come across…It is truly a PARTY HOUSE. And in this house, you can find some of the greatest and coolest musical talent to date. From live performances, to guest DJ’s, Santos is the place to be in NYC. A new addition to the Party House inhabitants is world renowned music producer Just Blaze. He’s got a lot more time on his hands now that Baseline Studios is closed so his Friday nights will be spent on the turntables at Santos Party House. I recently ran into him at 105 Rivington and he’s a pretty cool cat so you will catch me in the building. Be there! You might just get to hear the latest Just Blaze produced track “Exhibit C” by Jay Electronica.

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]]> http://www.mn-eminent.com/2010/02/22/santos-party-house-x-just-blaze/feed/ 0 http://www.mn-eminent.com/2010/02/16/2831/ http://www.mn-eminent.com/2010/02/16/2831/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:24:25 +0000 Matt http://www.mn-eminent.com/?p=2831

For all the designers, photographers, marketers, fashion marketers, entrepreneurs and social media buffs out there around the city — there’s an event happening tomorrow you don’t want to miss. It’s the kickoff of Digital Wednesdays, NYC’s weekly mixer for Digital media and Fashion professionals. I met one of the creators of the event Max Ramirez on Friday and he told me that it’d be something I wouldn’t want to miss. With no cover, drink/food specials all night and a smooth after work crowd of smart and saavy digital professionals, there’s really no reason to miss it. Its taking place at Tanuki Tavern inside Hotel Gansevoort in the meat-packing district. TOMORROW Feb 17th from 7-10pm. See you there!

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Could this be a preview of what’s to come this weekend during the NBA All-Star festivities???This video is pretty funny but you never know. The slam dunk contest could very well come down to King James and Dwight “Superman” Howard. Tune in to the various NBA All-Star Weekend events starting this Friday, February 12th!!!

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Clothing brands are dropping some very serious pieces for the warmer weather! It doesn’t even seem like Spring is right around the corner, with all the cold, inclement weather we have these days. DC is covered in snow and NYC is freezing so it’s about time for me to take a vacation very soon. But first, I’ll need to acquire a few things for my wardrobe. My first stop is going to have to be J.Crew. They have new pieces in store and online for men, women and children. The linen herringbone blazer, gingham shorts, and Persol sunglasses are must haves for my next vacation. There are a few women’s items I’m a bit jealous of, though. I really wish they made the white denim jacket and golden McCallister boots for men. The boys even got stuff that made me wanna be a kid again. That “greatness” sweatshirt is classic, as is the cashmere shawl collar cardigan for girls. Ok my J.Crew rant is over. Rugby’s Spring collection is a bit more colorful and preppy than that of J.Crew. There is a lot of red, white, and blue incorporated, like this fleece baseball jacket. A.P.C. took a more subtle approach and kept it very classic. The highlight of their collection for me is the shoes. These blue desert boots are sick! I think I’ll be ready for the next 3 Spring seasons after my next shopping excursion. How bout you?

We are officially one month into the new year. If you’re anything like me, you already had it in your head that 2010 was going to be a great year for you. If you are ME than you’ve gotten off to a slow start due to the fact that you haven’t quite shaken off all of the prior years bad habits just yet. Well you’ve still got time to change and grab this year by the horns and GQ Magazine will tell you how. Although it is a magazine for gentlemen, the GQ 10 Point Plan for 2010 can be applied to females as well. You just need to know how to flip the script so that it fits into your lifestyle. This 10 point plan covers everything from eating properly to self grooming. Some of the key points are self sufficiency, productivity, confidence, and being well rounded. This has got to be one of the most helpful articles I have ever come across and I’m most definitely going to print it out and take heed. I suggest you do the same…

Fashion is such an amazing art form. Everyday, people are creating masterpieces, whether they know it or not. Sometimes, I find myself just going to places like Union Square to just take it all in. It’s pretty cold outside these days so I just settle for magazines like Vogue. They recently did an article on a fashion trend that has grown on me over the years and it is becoming more and more common. Men’s clothing fitted to a woman’s silhouette is huge right now, and also very sexy. Vogue Hommes editor in chief, Anastasia Barbieri, has certainly taken notice to this and is using it to her advantage to create her very own style masterpieces. Utilizing everything from men’s suits to watches, Barbieri manages to put together amazing outfits that not only look great, but also very feminine. Men’s clothing are very comfortable ladies, so take notes and view the article here!