I don't even like Grape Soda

Honestly, I laughed heartly when i heard this song, but upon further reflection, I can not help but to be hurt...deeply. But I dont know if I am hurt more that he actually had the confidence that if he manifested, documented, and distributed this hack of artistry that people would identify with him or that we supplied him with the images that continually project to the rest of the world as truth or that no one but me seems to have taken offense to this Tom Foolery. Until next time...Find your swank. Think insane. Be urbane.

You know better....

For years society, mainly America, has dealt with many double standards, with two of the most debated being sexuality and racism. In any academic setting, you can always hear students banter about the roles of men and women. "If a man sleeps with 10 women in month, he is a legend. If a woman does the same, she is labeled a whore." Well, both of them will be remembered, for spreading or dying of some sexually transmitted disease that cannot be cured. One can be walking to the restroom and can fall into that conversation but matters of race are still taboo as we inch closer to th inauguration of the first African-American president.

I have been told a few times that black people do not have the ability to be racist. Black poeple do indeed have the mental and emotional capacity to hate people because of thier race, disregrading a persons character. I have seen it time and time again in music. African American artists can say whatever they may like about other races of people, but as soon as some one thinks that a quote heard in the media has a racial inuendo, all hell breaks loose.

As an African American male, I have been discriminated against, sterotyped, degraded, and ridiculed. But that is not reason to hate someone else or ignorantly stereotype others because of my heartache. It is my duty to look genuinely in someone's eyes and treat them with the respect that they deserve, regardless of what their skin color/nationality may SEEM to respresent.

With that said, Busta Rhymes you know better. You are a pioneer in hip hop. I know getting "Arab Money" is another way of saying that you would like to have alot of money, but you should take into consideration of the stereotypes that you are perpertuating with this video.




Until next time...Find your swank. Think insane. Be urbane.

Rick Warren: Is it really that serious?

Now, I voted for Obama, I'm against Prop. 8 but I am in NO way offended by Obama's choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration. I understand what Obama was going for to some extent. You can't tell me that if he had picked T.D. Jakes or Al Sharpton that people would not have called that "predictable". Obama was doomed before he started so he might as well shake things up. Someone somewhere will always have SOMETHING to say. And its not as if Warren is going to be discussing gay marriage at the inauguration anyhow, the whole event is a celebration of Obama bridging the gaps and bringing the country together and that means conservatives in the same room as liberals. This is not a high school dance where cliques huddle around in various spots of the gymnasium. Inclusion is not conditional. So lets refocus and get back to dialoguing about how to fix this country and restore it to its Pre-Dubya days. May the Force Be With You.
Your main man,
Debonoir

Debonoir Back on the Scene

After a very hectic end to my first semester of law school, I'm back to deliver pearls of sartorial wisdom over this much needed winter break. So since it is winter, lets talk outerwear, topcoats to be exact. So seeing as you've read the posts on Suits, Shoes, Shirts and Ties and are no doubt dressing smarter and more urbane than ever, you only have one thing left, and that is; what to wear over that new, spiffy gear. Well here's a big hint (Your Rocawear parka is not the answer). Instead, try a nice wool topcoat. They come in a variety of colors, are made by many menswear houses and can be found at either end of a wide price range. A few tips on the fit: 1. They should hit your knees (unlike a full length trench) 2. They should be the SAME size as your suit coat (buying bigger will make you look like you're wearing your dad's old coat) 3. Single or Double Breasted is ok, just make sure you're confident in what you choose.

P.S.
If you want a bit of flair, try a Chesterfield. This British version is famous for its velvet around the collar instantly adding some class to a menswear staple. Sort of (read: exactly) like this version from Banana Republic. $249

Love Lockdown

Find your swank. Think insane. Be urbane.

Manic Monday

Having trouble studying to that new T.I. album? Is my girlfriend Rhianna's voice too annoying to concentrate on your chemistry notes? Does Neyo always make you want to go to sleep during those all nighters during finals week? Well then it is time to switch up your music selection while studying. If you did not know, jukin and jivin to that new Kanye West single in the library does not help you retain that Quanitative Analysis that you study for 3 hours at a time. You should try some music that is cool, mellow, light, and devoid of alot of base.

Insert Frank Sinatra here. Yes. Frank Sinatra. Please open up your music prejudices for the purpose of graduating! Just go to Pandora.com and type in Frank Sinatra. They will filter in everything from his time period. You may have to skip through some of the more edgier songs from the 50's but I promise you will have better success studying. Don't knock til your try it!

Until next time...Find your swank. Think insane. Be Urbane.

Just Window Shopping

Of course I can not afford anything in the REAL Louis Vutton, well accept for an extra button lying around, so I will not be shopping in this newly designed 5th avenue store...but when Rhianna and I go shopping, I promise to take pictures for you all. Until next time.
- Find your swank. Think insane. Be urbane.

Cool Quote of the Week

My president is black, my Lambo's blue
And I'll be goddamned if my rims ain't too
My momma ain't at home, and daddy's still in jail
Tryna make a plate, anybody seen the scale?
My president is black, my Lambo's blue
And I'll be goddamned if my rims ain't too
My money's light green and my Jordans light grey
And they love to see white, now how much you tryna pay?
Let's go!

[Verse 1: Young Jeezy]
Today was a good day, hope I have me a great night
I don't know what you fishin for but catch you a great white
Me, I see great white, heavy as killer whales
I cannot believe this, who knew it came in bails
Who knew what came with jail, who knew what came with prison
Just cause you got opinions, does that make you a politician?
Bush robbed all of us, would that make him a criminal?
And then he cheated in Florida, would that make him a seminal?
I say and I quote, "We need a miracle"
And I say a miracle cause this shit is hysterical
By my nephews and nieces, I will email Jesus
Tell him forward to Moses and CC Allah
Mr. Soul Survivor, guess that make me a Konvict
Be all you be, now don't that sound like some dumb shit
When you die over crude oil as black as my nigga Boo
It's really a Desert Storm, that's word to my nigga Clue
Catch me in Las Vegas, A.R. Arizona
Rep for them real niggas, I'm winnin in California
Winnin in Tennessee, hands down Atlanta
Landslide Alabama, on my way to Sevana

[Hook]

[Verse 2: Young Jeezy]
I said I woke up this morning, headache this big
Pay all these damn bills, feed all these damn kids
Buy all these school shoes, buy all these school clothes
For some strange reason my son addicted to Polos
Love me some spinach dip, I'm addicted to Houston's
And if the numbers is right I take a trip out to Houston
An earthquake out in China, a hurricane in New Orleans
Street Dreams Tour, I showed my ass in New Orleans
Did it for Soulja Slim, brought out B.G.
It's all love Bun, I'm forgivin you Pimp C
You know how the Pimp be, that nigga gon' speak his mind
If he could speak down from heaven he'd tell me stay on my grind
Tell him I'm doin fine, Obama for mankind
We ready for damn change so y'all let the man shine
Stuntin on Martin Luther, feelin just like a king
Guess this is what he meant when he said that he had a dream

[Hook]

[Verse 3: Nas]
Yeah, our history, black history, no president ever did shit for me
Had to hit the streets, had to flip some keys so a nigga won't go broke
Then they put us in jail, now a nigga can't go vote
So I spend doe, all these hoes is trippin
She a ain't a politician, honey's a polotician
My president is black, rolls golden charms
Twenty-two inch rims like Hulk Hogan's arms
When thousands of peoples is riled up to see you
That can arouse ya ego, we got mouths to feed so
Gotta stay true to who you are and where you came from
Cause at the top will be the same place you hang from
No matter how big you can ever be
For whatever fee or publicity, never lose your integrity
For years there's been surprise horses in this stable
Just two albums in, I'm the realest nigga on this label
Mr. Black President, yo Obama for real
They gotta put your face on the five-thousand dollar bill

Until inauguration....-Find your swank. Think insane. Be urbane.

Black Diamonds and Pearls

Enough Said

Wear with Caution: The Cropped Suit

High Fashion Menswear has been obsessed with the cropped suit for the past few years thanks to the innovation (or abomination) of the likes of Thom Browne, Jil Sander, Dolce and Gabbana etc...Even Brooks Brothers is getting in the mix (with the help of Thom Browne of course). A cropped suit is quite literally, a regular suit only shrunken. There is a very fine line when it comes to the cropped suit. If you're short and you're suit is not cropped enough, no one will understand the look you're going for, on the flipside, if you're tall and you're suit too cropped: Instant Urkel Status. I know the geek chic thing is in but even with a cropped suit, your trousers should end just above your ankles not in the middle of your calves. Your jacket should hit right at your hips and your sleeves right at your wrists. Again, wear this with caution, you won't catch me wearing one (I feel like I'm too tall) but I admire those with the courage to own this style and wear it with confidence. Just like a regular suit; the details (shirt, tie, shoes, tie bar, suspenders) will help complete the look. As Always May the force be with you.
Your main man,
-Debonoir

P.S.
This picture is the man himself Thom Browne (notice the naked ankles). Feel free to opine, declare him style genius or deviant, or be indifferent.

"Step on My Shoes I will kill YOU"

Now, you all know me as Debonoir, the tailored shirt, narrow tie, leather loafer wearing style-minded guy (guru in training if you will) but I can always appreciate style in whatever form in which it comes, that's why I wanted to share these with my streetwear comrades out there who are members of Urbane Society as well. There is no doubt that you(as well as I) knew about these months ago so I am simply writing to tell you that they are available at pickyourshoes.com for $130 so go cop til your heart's content (One to rock, one to stock) that's how sneakerheads get down. May the force be with you,
Your main man,
-Debonoir

Geek Post: Blackberry Bold Out Today!

For all you members of Urbane Society with AT&T cellular service, today I envy you. The Blackberry Bold Device is now officially available online and in AT&T stores all across the country. Go get one and increase your productivity while looking cool at the same time. As always, May the force be with you.
Your main man,
-Debonoir