Hublot Geneve official opening at Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur

Luxury Swiss watch brand Hublot SA and The Hour Glass officially open the doors to its premier boutique in Kuala Lumpur at the Starhill Gallery on 5th June 2008, Thursday.



This crucial occasion marks Hublot is the first stand-alone boutique in South-East Asia as a boutique that is managed by The Hour Glass, one of Asia’s marques of watch retailers.

The boutique furbishes in Hublot’s trademark monochromatic colours – of black, white and silver provides customer the essence of cool contemporary minimalist luxury. Walked in the end corner of the boutique, customers can find a hearty all-black bar counter, chandelier and secluded VIP lounge that promising a comfortable buying experience.

The event started with a Press Conference, proceeded to the official opening of the Hublot boutique and ended with a grand dinner at the Starhill Gallery. Asia well-known singer Anita Sarawak was invited to perform her awesome singing on the night. MC by Stephanie Chai, the Official Boutique Opening ceremony is graced by Mr Jean- Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot SA, Mr Ricardo Guadalupe, Managing Director of Hublot SA, Dr Kenny Chan, Managing Director of The Hour Glass and Mr Michael Tay, Executive Director of The Hour Glass. Joining the occasion are Mr Philippe Pascal, President and CEO of LVMH Watch & Jewellery business division, Hublot’s parent company and Tan Sri Dato’ Francis Yeoh of YTL Group.



THE HISTORY OF HUBLOT GENEVE

• In 1980, Carlo Crocco created the Hublot watch in gold, fitted with a natural rubber strap. This was a first in the history of watchmaking.
• The porthole-shaped watch case combining polished and brushed metal, the minimalist black dial, and the distinctive black natural-rubber strap came to symbolise the Hublot watch.
• Members of royal families were immediately enthusiastic about Hublot and were soon emulated by numerous celebrities the world over.
• Carlo Crocco had taken a gamble, but in just a few years Hublot watches joined the elite of leading watchmaking brands.
• In the mid-90s, rubber became the focus of interest of the leading watchmaking brands, as reflected by the large number of designs. As far as the brand is concerned, rubber is not a fashion phenomenon, but rather the perfect embodiment of the philosophy, lifestyle and brand image it had developed from the beginning.
• Hublot remains one of the last independent family-run watchmaking businesses offering a unique single-product concept.
• Having become absorbed in his design work and many activities for the MDM Foundation – a charity helping deprived children around the world – Carlo Crocco set out to find the man who could take the helm of his watchmaking business.

Jean-Claude Biver came into picture…

• At that time in late 2003, Jean-Claude Biver decided to take a year out to reflect and rest a little. But this man finds it difficult to do nothing! It was then that he met Carlo Crocco, and they immediately got on well.

• Thus, in May 2004, Jean-Claude Biver took up his position as CEO, becoming board member and minority shareholder in Hublot watches.

• He had many innovative and promising ideas for developing the brand. Jean-Claude Biver is one of those rare men who have left a mark on Swiss watchmaking. Born in Luxembourg on 20th September 1949, his family moved to Switzerland when he was 10 years old. Freshly graduated, he arrived in Le Brassus. The Joux valley, birthplace of fine watchmaking, was to have a major influence on the direction his life would take. He immediately settled in, taking up residence near a farm, which years later was to become Blancpain headquarters. He married in 1979 and remained in the valley. Jean-Claude Biver has been involved in the watchmaking industry since 1975; first with Audemars Piguet, and then with Omega. In 1981, with his friend Jacques Piguet, he took over the then dormant Blancpain brand. Ten years later the company was flourishing. In order to maintain the company, and enable its harmonious development, the two partners decided to sell up. Nicolas Hayek and the Swatch Group bought out Blancpain in 1992, but Jean-Claude Biver remained Managing Director with a seat on the Swatch Group's Executive Committee until the end of 2003.

• Under the leadership of its new CEO, Hublot revisited its founding principles: Jean-Claude Biver relaunched the “Fusion” concept. This meant the fusion of unusual materials such as gold and ceramic, tantalum and red gold, or even magnesium and titanium, as well as a fusion between the Swiss Watchmaking Tradition and 21st century Watchmaking Art, while at the same time preserving the unique, timeless design of Hublot watches.

• In less than a year, Jean-Claude Biver met the challenge of setting up a new collection, which was presented in Basel in April 2005 and featured the Hublot “Big Bang» chronograph, a perfect illustration of the Fusion concept! It was an immediate success, and orders increased three-fold compared to the previous year. A few months later, in November 2005, the Big Bang chronograph was already widely acclaimed and rewarded with several International Prizes: the prestigious “2005 Design Prize” in the “Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix” was one such notable achievement. It was followed by the “Sports Watch Prize” at the “Watch of the Year” ceremony held in Japan, and the prize for “Best Oversized Watch” of the Editor’s Choice “Watch of the Year” in Bahrain – a fine tribute from the Middle East.

• In June 2006, Jean-Claude Biver launched Hublot TV, the first-ever television channel on Internet to be created by a luxury brand! The television team produces and broadcasts news about the Hublot universe.


• Following this, various models of the Big Bang were developed, presenting watchmaking complications: Tourbillon, Big Date, Power Reserve Indicator and Split Second. The Fusion concept was pushed to the limit in the quest for unusual materials, combinations and new alloys. The model came in a choice of two sizes: 41 or 44 mm in diameter.


Significant 2007

• In 2007, a new “diver” Big Bang was launched – this was the third version in terms of its size: the Big Bang King was given an oversized case measuring 48 mm, but which adapts remarkably well to slender and large wrists alike.



• As for distinctions, at the beginning of 2007, a survey conducted by “Business Montres” of journalists specialised in watchmaking elected Jean-Claude Biver “Best Watchmaking Manager” and “Best Communicator”. And the Big Bang won the “Best Watch" prize in the “Design Awards 2007” of “Wallpaper” magazine. At the end of 2007, he won 5th place in the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award organised by the Handelszeitung (a Swiss weekly economic magazine) – a list established by 100 journalists specialised in economic affairs, which places him in the Top Ten of Swiss entrepreneurs.

• In February 2007, Hublot opened its first single-brand shop in Paris, in the rue Saint-Honoré. The second shop was opened in the summer, in the Hotel Byblos in Saint-Tropez, glamour spot and beacon for the jet set.

• In terms of revenue, the figures speak for themselves. When Jean-Claude Biver arrived in 2004, the brand’s turnover was 24 million Swiss francs. By the end of 2006, sales had already quadrupled to border on the 100 million Swiss franc mark, a target which had been set for 2008!

• In October 2007, the watchmaking company presented its first watch entirely manufactured in house: Hublot designed and developed a new light alloy made mainly of aluminium and magnesium - Hublonium – which is used to manufacture the Mag Bang’s movements AND cases! This represents an important innovation and a step towards a certain level of independence.

• In Autumn 2007, Hublot again received recognition from the watchmaking world and the public with the “Prize for the Jewel Watch” of the “Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix 2007” rewarding the exceptional and unique development of the One Million $ BB, and during the “Middle East Watches, Jewellery & Pens Award 2007” in Bahrain, where the Mag Bang was awarded the prize “Best Technological Innovation”. Then, in Bucharest, Romania, the Ceramic Gold Big Bang was crowned “Best Watch” by Caesar magazine.

• Since the arrival of Jean-Claude Biver, Hublot has experienced spectacular growth, and the result for the end of 2007 was a turnover exceeding 150 million Swiss francs. As for human resources, their number has nearly doubled and now stands at 80 employees. Hublot owns two subsidiaries, one in the United States and the other in Japan, and work started in Switzerland in December 2007 to build a new plant which will be operational at the beginning of 2009.

• The brand’s extraordinary dynamism, the contemporary distinctiveness of its watches’ design and its credibility in terms of watchmaking know-how make the Big Bang one of the most sought-after products in the market.



• The beginning of 2008 was marked by the launch of the first Big Bang designed exclusively for women, featuring a diameter of 38mm, a diamond-set bezel, but no chronograph. Subsequently, the new Big Bang Classic was presented at Basel 2008: this represents a development of the Big Bang towards a stylish, sporty attractiveness, while emphasizing the traditional. Meeting with universal approval, it was one of the leading products of this edition of Baselworld, where Hublot’s sales beat all records.

• A major turning point in the history of the watchmaking company then took place: on 24th April, Carlo Crocco, the owner, sold the company to the French group LVMH, the world leader in luxury products. Hublot, which is developing very rapidly in high-end, luxury watchmaking, embodies the brand that complements most perfectly the watchmaking range of the LVMH group. Jean-Claude Biver, CEO, and Ricardo Guadalupe, General Manager, will retain their positions within the company, in order to contribute to the development of the group’s watchmaking pole.

Schwarzkopf Professional debuted its new IGORA imagine colour trend collection in Malaysia

I went to Sunway Convention Center for the Schwarzkopf event last night. I wouldn’t say the event is exciting however is more useful for hair stylists to know the latest trend in hair industry sharing information by the guru. And the purpose for introducing IGORA Imagine colour trend collection is to invite leading names from outside the world of hair to lend their vision to creating directional looks for use in salons.

At the event, Schwarzkopf invited celebrity Japanese hair colorist Ms. Mutsumi Kurahashi of ZA/ZA International, Japan to colour and coiffure the models and catwalk which interpreted the vision for the Asian context to stunning effect.

I was amazed looking at the hair style and color that carried out the charisma of Asian gals at the hair show. However the models for the hair show are mediocre, they’d have found some professional or real models. Anyway I understand that it’s hard to find people to be the experiment. After all, it’s a hair show not a fashion show.




Some information about IGORA & Schwarzkopf:
• The first IGORA Imagine offering has been created with international make up artist Tyron Machhausen whose dynamic use of colors has made him one of the hottest names on the international make up scene.


• Schwarzkopf Professional’s inspiration for the extraordinary palette for the hair colour world came from channelling ideas from other artistic disciplines resulting in dazzling shades and colour combination that were drawn from the world of art and design.



• The collaboration of Tyron Machhausen and Schwarzkopf Professional for Igora Imagine 2008 created two themes: Rebel Mix and Urban Fairy where the playful approach to colour and the synergy between hair and make up have come together.

• Tyron Machausen also inspired two IGORA cendre-auburn shades, a delicious and totally unique series of almonds/caramels executed in flawless cool tones. The new colours, coded as 6-16 and 8-16 perfectly capture the upcoming trend for pure crisp new tones.

According to the Managing Director of Schwarzkopf Professional Malaysia Mr. Stefan Zimmerman, the brand will be rolling out the new vibrant shades, and the coloring techniques used to achieve the looks to stylists across nationwide.





More information, check out: www.schwarzkopf-professional.com

About Bangkok Invaders and Point Blanc

Bangkok Invaders consists of DJ Ono, Dandee Silksounds, and DJ Meeh

Bangkok Invaders (DJ ONO)

• DJ/TURNTABLIST HITOSHI ANDREW ONO aka "DJ ONO" Unquestionably one of Bangkok’s most sought after Hip-Hop DJ, DJ ONO has proven to many that his skills are amazing. DJ ONO along with the Bangkok Invaders have taken the Thai Hip-Hop scene by storm.

• To no suprise DJ ONO and BANGKOK INVADERS have been part of many major events to hit Bangkok City. Opening Act for 50 Cent & G-Unit Tour 2006, Opening act and Official Afterparty DJ for Jay-Z and Rihanna Tour 2007, MTV Asia Awards Official DJ, Official AfterParty DJ for Black-Eyed Peas 2006/2007 Tour, Official AfterParty DJ for Beyonce World Tour 2007.

• Before DJ ONO was rocking clubs all over ASIA, he was Hitoshi Andrew Ono born and raised in Vancouver, Canada.
• Soon after he had established himself as one of the top club DJs in Vancouver, Canada. From then on he has been putting his skills to the test for over 10 years now as both a turntablist and partyrockin DJ.
• He has also collaborated and played alongside many world-renown DJs such as DJ Cashmoney, DJ Q-Bert, DJ Shortkut, DJ D-Stylez, The Beat Junkies, DJ Krush, DJ A-Trak, X-Ecutioners, DJ Greenlantern, DJ Lord, DJ Latin Prince and DJ Honda.
• In 2004 DJ ONO caught the eye of another DJ by the name of DJAY BUDDAH, who was infamously known as the next big thing in NYC and THAITANIUMS OFFICIAL TOUR DJ. Soon after they combined forces and took over the Thailand music scene, they decided to form a DJ Crew that would take the whole perspective to a new level. “BANGKOK INVADERS” evolved as the talk of the town for Bangkok city. Hailing from Vancouver and NYC respecitively, they teamed up to become the 1 crew in Asia. Bangkok has been blessed by the sounds of DJ ONO and DJAY BUDDAH as they mix and match their unique musical influences to create an aural tapesty comprised of the hottest new Hip-Hop, Reggae, and R&B, as well as old school joints that are guaranteed to keep heads bobbin and booties shakin from sun down to sun up.

• In 2005 DJ ONO had proven to Bangkok city that his technical skills are on the rise. He entered the Denon DMC and was announced the new champion of the Denon DJ Sound Clash.

• In 2006, Sony and MTV collaborated and chose DJ ONO to represent the all new MP3 player. He was named the official MTV/SONY Feel the Music roadshow DJ for all of Asia. His commercial was aired on MTV in all of Asia for 12 months.

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• DJ ONO’s skills and street-credit has also generated a international buzz, propelling him to become Thailands representative of “BUMSQUAD”, possibly the U.S.’s biggest, butt kickin DJ crew. He has collaborated with West Coast’s finest, DJ Latin Prince who is the founder behind the BUMSQUAD DJZ.

• While anyone can match beats, it takes a real DJ to create and sustain that raw street vibe which is the soul of any Hip-Hop party. Time and time again DJ ONO has won over the hearts of Bangkoks club denizens, proving that when it comes to Party-Rockin DJ’s, he’s as real as it gets. DJ ONO continues to play at 5 or 6 clubs a week, and whether its a industry party with trend setters or a major music festival with 10,000 people, there is no crowd he can’t handle.


Bangkok Invaders (DANDEE SILKSOUNDS)

• Silksounds, one of Thailand’s fastest rising hip hop bands, has been rocking SE Asia since 2004. The prolific team, comprised of Highlife (producer/songwriter), Dandee (MC/writer) and Ono (DJ), is proudly “made in Germany”. In three years of existence, Silksounds has not only released two full-length studio albums, but has also contributed their production skills and lyrical talents to some of Thailand’s hottest hip hop and pop acts.


Bangkok Invaders (DJ Meeh)

• DJ.MEEH (The Most Wanted) DJ MEEH or MR.MEEH is one of a Thailand's top club Turntablist, Hip Hop and R&B deck innovator (DJ), and with once a month radio shows with DJ Dragon and DJ Wen on "Homebass Communication" (104.5 Fat Radio), A residency at Ministry of Sound (Thailand), Route 66 (Eastside), Speed Club (The pioneer Hip Hop club in Thailand), Club 420, Slim, Mystique and more.

• He is in high demand. Mr. MEEH has played alongside the top of Hip Hop and R&B in Thailand and Internationally know such as Joey Boy (Gancore Club), Thaitanium, Khan-T (A-Town), Dajim (Gmm), New School (Stone), Vitamin A (RS), Memphis Bleek (Rocafella), DJ GreenLantern, DJ Q-Bert, DJ ShortKut, D-Styles, DJ Total Eclipse, DJ Ken-Bo (Tokyo, Japan), Invisible Skratch Pickle, X-Ecutioners, Triple Treat, The Beat Junkie, DJ Hanger, DJ Miyabi, DJ Andrew Chow, DJ Rattle, DJ Koflow, DJ Fuzz and more. DJ MEEH or MR.MEEH is a member of many DJ crews such as “The Beat Lounge” (#1 Turntablist Crew in Thailand), “Silk-Sounds System” (#1 Party Rocking Crew in Bangkok), “Bangkok Invaders” (#1 Party Rocking Crew in Thailand)

• He is known for his signature skills of scratching of Turntablist, cutting and mixing of Club DJ as well as continually tearing the roof off with his unique ability to tease the crowd to the point of near explosion. The man they call MR.MEEH, plays as far a field such as Tokyo, Singapore and keep doing to go more. MR.MEEH grew up in Bangkok where he had to learn the art of Turntablist and Disc Jockey by himself for many years until everybody know that he’s a pioneer group of Turntablist and Hip Hop DJ in Thailand.



POINT BLANC

• Performing at school functions and parties, Nicholas Ong's big break came the day he saw the tiny advertisement in the newspaper that said: "Wanted: Rappers to form a hip-hop group". He headed to the nearest payphone and dialled the number on the ad. Yogi B picked up and Nicholas did his first ever audition over the phone. As they say, the rest is history. Nicholas Ong a.k.a Point Blanc was soon on a bus to Kuala Lumpur to sign his first recording contract with the group Poetic Ammo.

• Poetic Ammo was one of the first Malaysian hip hop acts to achieve commercial success and recognition. The group has won a number of AIMs, including Best English Album for "It's A Nice Day To Be Alive" and Best Music Video for "Who Be The Player". They have released a total of three albums to date, "It's A Nice Day To Be Alive" (1999), "The World is Yours" (2000), and "Return Of The Boombox" (2003).

• In 2001, Point founded rap-rock band Pop Shuvit. The group's debut album "Take It and Shuvit" was well received, garnering a 2001 AIM nomination for Best New Artiste.

• After taking a brief hiatus from the music industry, Point returned to the local music scene in 2005 by setting up his own record label and artiste management company, Voyeur Records. In 2007, Point released his solo debut album, "Straight to the Point". Truly Malaysian, "Straight to the Point" is a tri-lingual album featuring songs in Chinese, English and Bahasa Malaysia. The first English single, "Ipohmali", is one of the most played and talked about local songs of 2007, and the music video has been viewed over 100,000 times on the internet since its release in April 2007.

Study about Hip-hop music

It’s been almost three decades since the emergence of hip-hop, yet the seeds were planted long before then – through jazz, roots, blues and rap music. It’s a culture that has the stamp of Afro- American society of the 20th century – all night block parties, illegal sound systems, pirate radio stations, mix tapes, old-school free-styling and rocking the microphone. But hip-hop has come a long way in this time, surviving the sell-out and the MTV pop explosion, to remain an intrinsic and progressive component of contemporary music and part of modern culture.

Hip-hop music is undoubtedly one of the most exciting forms of expression ever to emerge from New York City and its famous five boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Richmond. The pioneers – Grand Master Flash, Rich Rubin, Def Jam Records, Sugar Hill Records, Herbie Hancock, Run DMC and Motown – and their contemporaries have all laid the foundation for today’s hippest street-oriented culture. The associated practices of graffiti art, MCing, break-dancing and DJing have made hip-hop music a lifestyle and a socially significant part of the contemporary landscape. From London to Berlin to Tokyo to Auckland, hip-hop has spread like wildfire and indoctrinated a whole new generation of hip-hop headz, producers, MCs, free-stylers, scratchologists and enthusiasts.

It has become a global phenomenon that is indicative of the supremacy of American cultural dominance in the 21st century through globalization. The world has become saturated with hip-hop music and culture, though some countries have been able to create their own hybrid forms. Hip-hop’s success has brought this once underground culture to the mainstream, with musicians such as Eminem, Mos Def, Ice Cube, Qtip, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Sean Coombes and Snoop Dogg making it as movie stars and role models. The music video realm has also been revolutionized by the likes of Hype Williams, Spike Jonze and more recently, the UK’s Adam Smith and the Colonel Blimp production house.

Even the fashion world has been colonized by hip-hop styles, with the likes of Russell Simmon’s Phat Farm, The First Lady of Hip Hop Kimora Lee Simon’s Baby Phat label and P Diddy’s Sean-John clothing line. Sneaker companies endorse hip hop stars. And premium-brand companies such as Rolex, Lexus and Gucci have used the genre to help them reach the kind of consumer that would normally be immune to their blandishments.

Though the US is the home of hip-hop, the sound has managed to develop strong followings across the Western world, even trans-morphing with electronic, drum & bass, jazz, tribal tongue, Latin and a plethora of fresh experimental sounds, with poetry and the spoken word thrown in for good measure.

Hip hop music

-Hip hop music is a genre of music typically consisting of a rhythmic style of speaking called rap over backing beats performed on a turntable by a DJ.
-Hip hop music is part of hip hop culture, which began in New York City in the 1970s, predominantly among African Americans and Latinos (two other elements are breakdancing and graffiti art).
-The term rap is sometimes used synonymously with hip hop music, though it originally referred only to rapping itself.
-Rapping, also referred to as MCing or emceeing, is a vocal style in which the performer speaks rhythmically and in rhyme, generally to a beat. Beats are traditionally sampled from portions of other songs by a DJ, though synthesizers, drum machines, and live bands are also used, especially in newer music.
-Rappers may perform poetry which they have written ahead of time, or improvise rhymes on the spot. Though rap is usually an integral component of hip hop music, DJs sometimes perform and record alone, and many instrumental acts are also defined as hip hop.
-Hip hop arose in New York City when DJs began isolating the percussion break from funk or disco songs for audiences to dance to. The role of the MC was originally to introduce the DJ and the music, and to keep the audience excited. The MC would speak between songs, giving exhortations to dance, greetings to audience members, jokes and anecdotes. Eventually, this practice became more stylized, and came to be known as rapping.
-By 1979, hip hop had become a commercially recorded music genre, and began to enter the American mainstream. It also began its spread across the world.
-In the 1990s, a form called gangsta rap became a major part of American music, causing significant controversy over lyrics which were perceived by some as promoting violence, promiscuity, drug use and misogyny. Nevertheless, by the beginning of the 2000s, hip hop became a staple of popular music charts and is now performed in widely varying styles around the world.


Origin of term

Coinage of the term hip hop is often credited to Keith Cowboy, a rapper with Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. Though Lovebug Starski, Keith Cowboy, and DJ Hollywood used the term when the music was still known as disco rap, it is believed that Cowboy created the term while teasing a friend who had just joined the U.S. Army, by scat singing the words "hip/hop/hip/hop" in a way that mimicked the rhythmic cadence of marching soldiers.

Cowboy later worked the "hip hop" cadence into a part of his stage performance, which was quickly copied by other artists; for example the opening of the song "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang. Former Black Spades gang member Afrika Bambaataa is credited with first using the term to describe the subculture that hip hop music belongs to, although it is also suggested that the term was originally derisively used against the new type of music.


Internationalization

Beginning in the early 1980s, hip hop culture began its spread across the world. By the end of the 1990s, popular hip hop was sold almost everywhere, and native performers were recording in most every country with a popular music industry.
Elements of hip hop became fused with numerous styles of music, including ragga, cumbia and samba, for example.

The Senegalese mbalax rhythm became a component of hip hop, while the United Kingdom and Belgium produced a variety of electronic music fusions of hip hop, most famously including British trip hop.

Hip hop also spread to countries like Greece, Spain and Cuba in the 1980s, led in Cuba by the self-exiled African American activist Nehanda Abiodun and aided by Fidel Castro's government.

In Japan, graffiti art and breakdancing had been popular since the early part of the decade, but many of those active in the scene felt that the Japanese language was unsuited for rapping; nevertheless, by the beginning of the 1990s, a wave of rappers emerged, including Ito Seiko, Chikado Haruo, Tinnie Punx and Takagi Kan.

The New Zealand hip hop scene began in earnest in the late 1980s, when Maori performers like Upper Hutt Posse and Dalvanius Prime began recording, gaining notoriety for lyrics that espoused tino rangatiratanga (Maori sovereignty).
Hip-hop has globalized into many cultures worldwide.

New School hip-hop

In the year 2000, The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem sold over nine million copies in the United States, and Nelly's debut LP, Country Grammar, sold over six million copies.

The United States also saw the rise of alternative hip hop in the form of moderately popular performers like The Roots, Dilated Peoples and Mos Def, who achieved unheard-of success for their field.

As the decade progressed, hip hop has transformed from the more or less "old school" rhythmic rap to a more melodic hip hop that has the elements of jazz, classical, pop, reggae, and many other genres.

Hip hop also gave birth to subgenres such as snap music and crunk. Hip hop influences also found their way into mainstream pop during this period as well.

Some countries, like Tanzania, maintained popular acts of their own in the early 2000s, though many others produced few homegrown stars, instead following American trends. Scandinavian, especially Danish and Swedish, performers became well known outside of their country, while hip hop continued its spread into new lands, including Russia, Japan, Philippines, Canada and China.

Primarily in Germany, gangsta rap has become popular among youths who like the violent and aggressive lyrics. Some rappers openly or comically flirt with nazism, Bushido (born Anis Mohamed Youssef Ferchichi) raps "Salutiert, steht stramm, Ich bin der Leader wie A" (Salute, stand to attention, I am the leader like 'A') and Fler had a hit with the record Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave) complete with the title written in Third Reich style gothic print and advertised with an Adolf Hitler quote. These references also spawned great controversy in Germany.

Hennessy Artistry Presents a Clubbing Experience to Remember

Hennessy Artistry Presents a Clubbing Experience to Remember Featuring
Point Blanc, Bangkok Invaders and VJ Callen

Hennessy V.S.O.P combining three musical sensations brought together to create an electrifying night at Aloha Club, Kuala Lumpur last night. Started from 10pm till late, the event covered with an outstanding line-up of foot stomping beats by Thailand’s top hip-hop group, Bangkok Invaders, Malaysian’s very own flavourful rap artist, Point Blanc and a visual playground concocted by VJ Callen, the night was set to reap musical treats for everyone – mixed with the sweet taste of Hennessy V.S.O.P City Cocktails: Shanghai, and Miami, Hennessy Artistry brings to life the concept of the ‘Global Art of Mixing’.

At the entrance welcomed celebrities and guests to take photo by the photographers which might turn out in the magazine if being picked. Besides, a glittering DJ mixing booth was set up for anyone who is interested in trying out their mixing skills, where a professional DJ will guide punters to spinning their very own dance tracks.

The crowd started coming about 11pm. The event combined live acts from the east and west created an artistic and distinct form of experiencing music. I could see some people in the VIP area indulged in the music and dancing delightedly. Probably hit by having endless Hennessy cocktails supply.

Funny incident occurred to me on the night that there was this middle age man came to chat with me and introduced himself as Malaysia version Superman....and telling me that he sells drugs and I can get any kind of drugs from him (he is so lame in making up stories)*sweat* what a silly man at his age speaking so tactlessly! Luckily Deric just reached the place came and tapped me so I could turned away. *sweat*





About Hennessy
Hennessy is the world’s leading premium cognac brand. Founded in 1765, the house of Hennessy has continuously strived to create the World’s finest cognacs.

Hennessy is a master of the art of blending fine aged cognac eaux-de-vie and has been creating fine cognac for seven generations. This heritage and savoir-faire has earned Hennessy Cognac world-wide renown and the appreciation of today's greatest cognac connoisseurs, making the brand the world’s number one cognac and one of the world’s most sophisticated spirits.

Hennessy is the perfect partner for blending cocktails as Cognac is a 100% grape-based (hence fruit) spirit. It is the most sophisticated base for mixed drinks and cocktails and this will be brought to life with Hennessy’s City Cocktails.

Hennessy Artistry is a continuation of Hennessy’s relationship with contemporary music. The programme sees Hennessy continue its support of music and urban culture. Hennessy has previously given support to musical icons such as R&B’s hottest new star John Legend, the legendary Isaac Hayes and eminent Hip Hop artist Rakim.

For more information, check out Hennessy Artistry’s new website - www.hennessyartistry.com.my

MTV Asia Awards 2008 celebrating in Genting, Malaysia for the first time

MTV Asia Awards 2008 is bringing pleasure to Malaysian music scene! For the very first time, the Awards show that celebrates and pays tribute to regional and international music talent will be held at the Arena of Stars in Genting, Malaysia on 2 August 2008. Jared Leto of 30 seconds to Mars will host the significant event. The MTV Asia Awards 2008 will be broadcasted to over 291 million homes across the region, and promoted on MTV Asia's website. Portions of the programming will be carried on MTV channels worldwide, reaching more than a billion viewers across 162 countries.

It's a good news for music fans and viewers in Malaysia to witness such a glamorous music affair! Expecting to be knocked out by the spanking new refreshing format of the Awards with a whole night of lively, exciting performances.


MTV ASIA AWARDS 2008 CATEGORIES

Favourite Music Artist Awards from Asia
Favourite Artist Mainland China
Favourite Artist Hong Kong
Favourite Artist Indonesia
Favourite Artist Korea
Favourite Artist Malaysia
Favourite Artist Philippines
Favourite Artist Singapore
Favourite Artist Taiwan
Favourite Artist Thailand

Favourite International Artist Awards in Asia
Video Star
Breakthrough Artist
The Innovation Award
Best Hook-Up
Bring Da House Down
edc Style Award

Find out more at MTV Asia's website, www.mtvasiaawards.com

Official partner sponsors for the MTV Asia Awards 2008 are edc by Esprit, Tourism Malaysia, Genting-City of Entertainment and Xpax.

MTV VJ Denise Keller emceed at the press conference, followed by speeches by Amit Jain, Executive Vice President, Managing Director, MTV Networks India, China & SEA, Y.Bhg. Dato' Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, Director of Tourism Malaysia, Y.Bhg.Dato' Anthony Yeo, Senior Vice President of PR& Communications for Resorts World, Genting-City of Entertainment, Y.Bhg. Dato Sri Shazalli Ramly, Chief Executive Office of Celcom.

HTC launches Touch Diamond

HTC launches its new Touch Diamond phone. I have the chance to test the phone and try out the function of this beautiful, sophisticated, slim and elegance PDA phone. I would say most female would love this phone, I'm the first ;)

Featuring a sharp 2.8 inch touch screen, the display allows user to enjoy viewing high quality photographs and browsing the web. With its new vibrant 3D touch interface called TouchFLO 3D, the HTC Touch Diamond provides animated access to people, messaging, email, photos, music, weather and etc.

It also offers a rich online experience which we might treat it better than a notebook computer, allowing user to zoom and pan websites with one hand and automatically view optimized content that has been specially created to fit the display. One cool thing I like about the phone is it will automatically rotates the web page view/photo from a portrait to landscape view when you turn the device sideways.

In addition to that, the user can also watch youtube with this HTC Touch Diamond and the integrated ultra-sensitive GPS will efficiently find a destination.

Pretty awesome that HTC Touch Diamond comes with a massive 4GB of internal storage! The user can keep tons of songs, photos, files and any collection fit his/her style.

HTC Touch Diamond is expecting in the market by early June with the retail price of RM2,799.

Bvlgari Opening @ Pavillion KL

Went to Bvlgari launch yesterday, was invited as media by my cousin who recently joined the company. The event served drink-all-you-can sparkling champagne and some fine mousse dessert. The opening was performed by soloist, followed by 6 models posing and showcasing luxurious jewelry worn on them. The jewelry worn by the model costs more than 100k each. Not that I can afford ;( I am not your target audience YET,sorry. It happened that there was this middle age woman approached one of the models and asked if she can show to her husband. As requested, the model posed and showed in front of the woman’s husband. And the conversation started.


“Cantik kan, bang?” (nice or not, hubby?) the woman said to her husband who is busy with his blackberry.
“Cantik…, berapa harga nya?” (nice, how much is it?) the model told the price to the guy 1xxK(hundred xx thousand).
“you suka ambil sajalah” (just take it if you like lah), the guy said to his wife.


……….. speechless………..

Such a well-off man. I’m sure they're in the Bvlgari's VIP customer list. What a lucky wife! When will be my turn? aha aha...

Learn more about Bvlgari:
Bulgari is an Italian jeweler and luxury goods retailer. The name is usually written "BVLGARI" in ancient Roman style, and comes from the founder, Greek Sotirios Vulgaris (1857-1932). Although the company made a name for itself with jewelry, today it is a recognized luxury brand that markets several product lines including watches, handbags, fragrances, accessories, and hotels.

Missy Elliott performed Live in Genting

It was an awesome weekend. First of all, I was handed by my colleague for the VIP ticket for Xlive Music Festival held in Genting with free flow of Chivas plus accommodation provided. Sounds good yea ;) For people who don't know what XLive is, XLive Festival is the first outdoor music festival to be held in Genting since 2005 and will also be the first time that a music festival is being held at the Genting Outdoor Theme Park. The festival will be divided into 3 arenas namely the XLIVE MAIN STAGE, XL-TRONIC & XLR8.

Each arena will feature a multitude of quality international, regional and local acts which includes Missy Elliot, DJ Yoji, Dan The Automator, Filo & Peri, Marcus Schossow, Stylustiks, and Goodnight Electric and more.

Missy Elliott's performance was awesome! All of us were jumping up and down and screaming all the way~! coolio~


This is the beginning where she finally came out since we waited for more than an hour!


This is the second part where she'd changed her clothing.


The rave party's stage.

On top of that, the rave party is absolutely awesome! It ended by 4am. The music is damn great ;) happy weekend ;)

Ivy Chee

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