Do you remember the 80’s? Back in the day when battles were on wax...House and block parties were the shit! Those were the days with the leather African medallions, HiTop Fade, Gumbies, cuts in the eyebrows, the bamboo earrings and big truck jewelry. The days when the urban communtiy joined the world of mass communications...
Motorola, who was known for making walkie-talkies and radio communications equipment dropped a 10 lb cellular phone on the scene whose starting price back in the day was about $1,500...in June of this year Houston MC Mike Jones boasted of having a cell bill for over $250,000...A QUARTER OF A MILLION! Yep...we've come a long way since the brick
Motorola's continued strides in the field of personal communications exploded with the advent of an affordable numeric pager. Simple and to the point...Call the number....it beeped with the caller's number and where to drop the sack off if you knew how to do the secret upside-down alphanumeric ghetto code. How many can remember turning your pager upside down to decipher the message?
Though the pager had it's pluses...it's biggest drawback was the "social association" that owning a pager brought...if you were a white male and you had a pager...you were a business man...if you were a black male and had a pager you had to be "Bi'ness Man" dealing drugs or a rap star...with advancement came stupidity.
The next Motorola innovation came in the late 90's in the guise of the Timeport 2way pager revolutionized communication in Hip Hop...with the ability to receive 2way numeric pages, email messages and an exclusive number and storage of email addresses Timeport 2ways blew up worldwide after the deaths of Aaliyah, Left Eye and Jam Master Jay.
Sidekicks and Blackberrys worldwide nearly melted during the start of the beef between 50 Cent and Game...even more so after the shooting outside of Hot 97.
Hip Hop has become the basis of the next billion dollar industry, Urban/Hip Hop based communication technology development and marketing. With artists ranging from Jada Kiss to Luda to Kanye West to Game partnering up with mobile phone companies like BOOST Mobile that provide Nextel phone to phone service at prepaid no contract costs. Also Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons tossed one of his many hats into the mobile phone ring with Def Jam Mobile. But currently the juggernaut garnering the attention of the Hip Hop culture as far as innovated, affordable, state of the art products is T-Mobile who currently is the exclusive service provider for Dangers' Sidekick.
The current popular phones amongst the Hip Hop community are the Sidekick and the Blackberry. These two products offer instant access to Email, IM and Web Access at the touch of a button. Sites like HipHopDX come in crystal clear with all articles accessable through both devices. These two devices are considered the Scion TC (Sidekick) and Cadillac Escalade (Blackberry) of the market.
Buying a mobile phone is like buying a car in a way...the latest model may not be the "latest" and you might have to work your way up through trade ins instead of direct buy...here are Verizon Wireless Discounted But Cool Mobile Phones. These could be called the Hyundai and Hondas of category. A little less advanced, but just a capable with a variety of functions and services two phones were provided to HHDX :
LGVX8000 is the first handset in the US that runs on Verizon Wireless EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) 3G network which enables high-speed data downloads and V.O.D.Video On Demand to view video clips from news, sports, and entertainment brands like GoTV Networks Pure Phat Channel featured on Sprint mobile along with access to play three-dimensional games. As well as limited web access downloadable 3D games. As well, the VX8000 is an all digital phone which weights 3.88 oz and has 280 minutes of usage time
SCH-n330 offers a distinctive pop-up screen and the first Immersion’s VibeTonz touch sensations that beat to the rhythm, melody, and dynamics of 15 preloaded rings. VibeTonz also works with downloadable ring tones available through Verizon Wireless' Get It Now Service. The n330 is sleek, sheik, and weighs just under 4 ozs. It’s the perfect pocket accessory.
Sidekick VS. Blackberry
The Sidekick also known as the HipTop also allows you to set up three external email accounts to deliver email directly to your tmail box. Most recent to the market is an upgraded version of the SK Model I, the Sidekick II . This upgrade version has a more compact and slimming design, color swivel screen and includes all the features of the original. It also includes a much needed upgrade to the integrated camera with the addition of a flash plus a picture caller id. With the SK Model II you’re free to explore your originality by customizing downloadable ring tones and callertones with your favorite Hip Hop songs or the voices of your favorite artist. The SK Model II is a mere 7oz and provides 4.5 hours of talk time.
The Blackberry is second to the Sidekick in regards to it's "cool" functions...But, for business and "office in a pocket" it's one of the best choices. Like the SK the Blackberry enables consumers to download ring tones, access the internet email.and GPS feature that provides turn by turn directions on or off the road...for when you're on the road trying to find the turn off for the venue in Boon-fuck, because the freaking map you got from online was screwed...but, we digress...
The Blackberry is a phone designed for the business person, A&R, producer, artist or journalist on the go and allows the user to receive corporate emails as well as personal. One of the best features is that it is Bluetooth with cables included. Also a wireless personal organizer synchronizer that allows the user to receive and view attachments and also Nextel phone to phone function. The Blackberry<\b> weights a 174g and provides 152 minutes of talk time and is considered as the Cadillac of mobile phones because there is a Maybach category.
The Maybach Of Phones
It costs US$32,000, is as heavy as a brick, cannot take pictures but comes with a 24 hour concierge service...Got ya' AMEX Black Card handy?
The latest status symbol in Asia is the what could truly be the most snobbish phone YET to be made...Dubbed Vertu and sold exclusively in North America by Holt Renfrewand manufactured by Vertu, which is an independent unit of wireless communications giant Nokia . This phone is THE achievement icon and is quickly becoming a must have for the millionaire elite and beautiful people especially in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore. It’s affects are just hitting Europe just in time for the fall fashion season...you'll see Paris Hilton flossin' a diamond encrusted one soon.
But for now Asian and European millionaires, celebrities, high-flying professionals and ladies are flashing Vertus made of Gold, Platinum, Ceramic and Leather in Asia and Eruopean corporate boardrooms, country clubs and exclusive VIP party spots.
Vertu, started selling its phones in Asia two years ago, refused to disclose sales figures as a matter of policy... but a senior executive claimed sales are doubling every six months. Based in London, Vertu has offices in Paris, New York, Singapore and Hong Kong, with a select roster of dealers in 20 countries and territories, including Kuwait, Macau and the United Arab Emirates, places where conspicuous spending is not seen as a social crime.
The average Vertu customer earns around $300,000 US dollars a year, which is not surprising considering the phones‘ price tags. The flagship Vertu model is a Platinum-cased Signature model, costing US$32,000 dollars. The yellow Gold version costs US$18,500 dollars. The “entry level economy“ Vertu is a Leather-clad Ascent model, worth a mere US$4,700 dollars.
At this price range, you don‘t buy a mere phone but, in the words of Vertu brochures, a “luxury personal communication instrument“ made with the same attention to detail as Swiss chronometers and Italian sports cars.
Vertu‘s flagship Signature models are made of more than 400 separate parts, compared to 30 for an ordinary mobile phone, and employ materials used in luxury watches such as sapphire crystal faces. The phone keys respond to the touch firmly, thanks to bearings, while the ear speakers are tuned to hi-fi stereo standards.
Handstitched leather sourced from Scandinavian herds and often used in seats of custom-made Rolls Royce are used to decorate or cover Vertu phones. Vertu also sells exclusive designer accessories like leather bags and phone cases to match the phones. Finally, buying a Vertu means joining an exclusive international club. Owners have access to a 24-hour Vertu Concierge hotline activated by a button on the phone.
The service is manned by “lifestyle experts“ who assist customers with travel, dining, shopping and other needs, like finding tickets to a sold-out show or a good plumber. You can get an appointment with an English-speaking doctor in Beijing, if there is one there through the service…no matter when you call.
Technology evolves everyday. Every month there’s a new cellular phone, PDA, or some other device. Many things impact technology, but there’s no denying that Hip Hop has had a major influence on the way technology evolves. With Hip Hop being a way of life and technology being the means by which we live it’s inevitable that the two would collide. No matter what color, creed, or age Hip Hop has proven that it's influences are virtually everywhere.
Just go out and interact with your fellow human beings at an open air concert, club, street corner, restuarant, bathroom stall ...no matter where you’re guaranteed to hear the blare of a customized Hip Hop ringtone. Hip Hop, a culture started 30 odd years ago still continues to come full blast and affect the way we live and communicate. Another Lost Element of Hip Hop yet to be acknowledged.
Motorola, who was known for making walkie-talkies and radio communications equipment dropped a 10 lb cellular phone on the scene whose starting price back in the day was about $1,500...in June of this year Houston MC Mike Jones boasted of having a cell bill for over $250,000...A QUARTER OF A MILLION! Yep...we've come a long way since the brick
Motorola's continued strides in the field of personal communications exploded with the advent of an affordable numeric pager. Simple and to the point...Call the number....it beeped with the caller's number and where to drop the sack off if you knew how to do the secret upside-down alphanumeric ghetto code. How many can remember turning your pager upside down to decipher the message?
Though the pager had it's pluses...it's biggest drawback was the "social association" that owning a pager brought...if you were a white male and you had a pager...you were a business man...if you were a black male and had a pager you had to be "Bi'ness Man" dealing drugs or a rap star...with advancement came stupidity.
The next Motorola innovation came in the late 90's in the guise of the Timeport 2way pager revolutionized communication in Hip Hop...with the ability to receive 2way numeric pages, email messages and an exclusive number and storage of email addresses Timeport 2ways blew up worldwide after the deaths of Aaliyah, Left Eye and Jam Master Jay.
Sidekicks and Blackberrys worldwide nearly melted during the start of the beef between 50 Cent and Game...even more so after the shooting outside of Hot 97.
Hip Hop has become the basis of the next billion dollar industry, Urban/Hip Hop based communication technology development and marketing. With artists ranging from Jada Kiss to Luda to Kanye West to Game partnering up with mobile phone companies like BOOST Mobile that provide Nextel phone to phone service at prepaid no contract costs. Also Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons tossed one of his many hats into the mobile phone ring with Def Jam Mobile. But currently the juggernaut garnering the attention of the Hip Hop culture as far as innovated, affordable, state of the art products is T-Mobile who currently is the exclusive service provider for Dangers' Sidekick.
The current popular phones amongst the Hip Hop community are the Sidekick and the Blackberry. These two products offer instant access to Email, IM and Web Access at the touch of a button. Sites like HipHopDX come in crystal clear with all articles accessable through both devices. These two devices are considered the Scion TC (Sidekick) and Cadillac Escalade (Blackberry) of the market.
Buying a mobile phone is like buying a car in a way...the latest model may not be the "latest" and you might have to work your way up through trade ins instead of direct buy...here are Verizon Wireless Discounted But Cool Mobile Phones. These could be called the Hyundai and Hondas of category. A little less advanced, but just a capable with a variety of functions and services two phones were provided to HHDX :
LGVX8000 is the first handset in the US that runs on Verizon Wireless EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) 3G network which enables high-speed data downloads and V.O.D.Video On Demand to view video clips from news, sports, and entertainment brands like GoTV Networks Pure Phat Channel featured on Sprint mobile along with access to play three-dimensional games. As well as limited web access downloadable 3D games. As well, the VX8000 is an all digital phone which weights 3.88 oz and has 280 minutes of usage time
SCH-n330 offers a distinctive pop-up screen and the first Immersion’s VibeTonz touch sensations that beat to the rhythm, melody, and dynamics of 15 preloaded rings. VibeTonz also works with downloadable ring tones available through Verizon Wireless' Get It Now Service. The n330 is sleek, sheik, and weighs just under 4 ozs. It’s the perfect pocket accessory.
Sidekick VS. Blackberry
The Sidekick also known as the HipTop also allows you to set up three external email accounts to deliver email directly to your tmail box. Most recent to the market is an upgraded version of the SK Model I, the Sidekick II . This upgrade version has a more compact and slimming design, color swivel screen and includes all the features of the original. It also includes a much needed upgrade to the integrated camera with the addition of a flash plus a picture caller id. With the SK Model II you’re free to explore your originality by customizing downloadable ring tones and callertones with your favorite Hip Hop songs or the voices of your favorite artist. The SK Model II is a mere 7oz and provides 4.5 hours of talk time.
The Blackberry is second to the Sidekick in regards to it's "cool" functions...But, for business and "office in a pocket" it's one of the best choices. Like the SK the Blackberry enables consumers to download ring tones, access the internet email.and GPS feature that provides turn by turn directions on or off the road...for when you're on the road trying to find the turn off for the venue in Boon-fuck, because the freaking map you got from online was screwed...but, we digress...
The Blackberry is a phone designed for the business person, A&R, producer, artist or journalist on the go and allows the user to receive corporate emails as well as personal. One of the best features is that it is Bluetooth with cables included. Also a wireless personal organizer synchronizer that allows the user to receive and view attachments and also Nextel phone to phone function. The Blackberry<\b> weights a 174g and provides 152 minutes of talk time and is considered as the Cadillac of mobile phones because there is a Maybach category.
The Maybach Of Phones
It costs US$32,000, is as heavy as a brick, cannot take pictures but comes with a 24 hour concierge service...Got ya' AMEX Black Card handy?
The latest status symbol in Asia is the what could truly be the most snobbish phone YET to be made...Dubbed Vertu and sold exclusively in North America by Holt Renfrewand manufactured by Vertu, which is an independent unit of wireless communications giant Nokia . This phone is THE achievement icon and is quickly becoming a must have for the millionaire elite and beautiful people especially in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore. It’s affects are just hitting Europe just in time for the fall fashion season...you'll see Paris Hilton flossin' a diamond encrusted one soon.
But for now Asian and European millionaires, celebrities, high-flying professionals and ladies are flashing Vertus made of Gold, Platinum, Ceramic and Leather in Asia and Eruopean corporate boardrooms, country clubs and exclusive VIP party spots.
Vertu, started selling its phones in Asia two years ago, refused to disclose sales figures as a matter of policy... but a senior executive claimed sales are doubling every six months. Based in London, Vertu has offices in Paris, New York, Singapore and Hong Kong, with a select roster of dealers in 20 countries and territories, including Kuwait, Macau and the United Arab Emirates, places where conspicuous spending is not seen as a social crime.
The average Vertu customer earns around $300,000 US dollars a year, which is not surprising considering the phones‘ price tags. The flagship Vertu model is a Platinum-cased Signature model, costing US$32,000 dollars. The yellow Gold version costs US$18,500 dollars. The “entry level economy“ Vertu is a Leather-clad Ascent model, worth a mere US$4,700 dollars.
At this price range, you don‘t buy a mere phone but, in the words of Vertu brochures, a “luxury personal communication instrument“ made with the same attention to detail as Swiss chronometers and Italian sports cars.
Vertu‘s flagship Signature models are made of more than 400 separate parts, compared to 30 for an ordinary mobile phone, and employ materials used in luxury watches such as sapphire crystal faces. The phone keys respond to the touch firmly, thanks to bearings, while the ear speakers are tuned to hi-fi stereo standards.
Handstitched leather sourced from Scandinavian herds and often used in seats of custom-made Rolls Royce are used to decorate or cover Vertu phones. Vertu also sells exclusive designer accessories like leather bags and phone cases to match the phones. Finally, buying a Vertu means joining an exclusive international club. Owners have access to a 24-hour Vertu Concierge hotline activated by a button on the phone.
The service is manned by “lifestyle experts“ who assist customers with travel, dining, shopping and other needs, like finding tickets to a sold-out show or a good plumber. You can get an appointment with an English-speaking doctor in Beijing, if there is one there through the service…no matter when you call.
Technology evolves everyday. Every month there’s a new cellular phone, PDA, or some other device. Many things impact technology, but there’s no denying that Hip Hop has had a major influence on the way technology evolves. With Hip Hop being a way of life and technology being the means by which we live it’s inevitable that the two would collide. No matter what color, creed, or age Hip Hop has proven that it's influences are virtually everywhere.
Just go out and interact with your fellow human beings at an open air concert, club, street corner, restuarant, bathroom stall ...no matter where you’re guaranteed to hear the blare of a customized Hip Hop ringtone. Hip Hop, a culture started 30 odd years ago still continues to come full blast and affect the way we live and communicate. Another Lost Element of Hip Hop yet to be acknowledged.
