New York Minute: 'Last Stop for Hip-Hop' store Fat Beats to shutter due to poor vinyl sales

Photo Courtesy of Branch Price for the NY Daily News

Hip-hop fans with an affinity for wax are mourning the end of an era - the closing of Fat Beats record stores.

The intimate West Village shop, one of the last in the city that specializes in selling hip-hop vinyl, is closing its doors, the company announced Wednesday.

"The business is down. The rent is up," said store manager Eric (DJ Eclipse) Winn, 40. "We've slowly lost all of the retail end of the company. ... Between the Internet and Serato [a digital DJ program] that's what hurt the vinyl sales."

Inside the store, known as "The Last Stop for Hip-Hop," customers were devastated.

"Damn, I didn't know," said DJ Kase, 29, of Jersey City, a longtime customer at the Sixth Ave. store.

"The Internet messed it all up. This was like a cornerstone for hip-hop. This is where you get your [stuff]," he said.

He recalled when he saw Outkast inside the store and picked up Raekwon's album "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..."

"It's something about putting your hands on wax and digging through records. It's something the Internet can't do for you," the deejay said. "I have a true love for vinyls."

Jorge Berrios, 34, of South Ozone Park, Queens, spent $13 on three vinyls - "Player's Anthem" by Junior M.A.F.I.A., "Candy Rain" by Soul for Real and Zhigge's "Rakin' in the Dough."

"You have no idea how sad I am," Berrios told the store owner. "It's almost like my second home."

The store was a haven for rap fans, and a top promotional stop for artists. The Fugees, Common and Kool G Rap were among the artists whose autographed photos covered the walls.

Veteran hip-hop producer DJ Spinna was deeply saddened by the closing of the store that boosted his career.

"It was definitely a landmark for the underground movement of the '90s," he said. "Young people who've never touched wax probably don't know what the closing of a store like this means."

In past years, once popular music stores like Tower Records, HMV and the Virgin Megastore have also been shuttered.

"It just means that we're heading to a place where music won't exist in a physical form anymore," the producer said.

The final day for the New York store, which first opened on W. Ninth St. in 1994, will be Sept. 4. The Los Angeles store will close on Sept. 18.

"We're losing stores that sell vinyl because of downloads and stuff like that," said veteran DJ Clark Kent. "It's a shame that deejays lose this place."

With Michael DiSilvestri


News courtesy of The NY Daily News

TV WATCH: The Bad Girls Club

She's So New York introduces their new series "TV Watch!" Insightful, funny, and down right snarky commentary from the minds of SSNY staff. We give you blow by blow details behinds some of the hottest shows on the boob tube. Wanna join in on the fun? Join our chat box and start talking!

Today, the minds behind "The XD Experience," (and He Say/She Say panelists) X.D. and Archer give you their take on last night's episode of "The Bad Girls Club Miami." Agree/Disagree? Comment!

 Episode 3: Where's the Money, Honey?

Brandi (b.k.a. Chippy B.)

Archer: Well well well, these bad girls are…kind of weak. There were a whole lot of tears splashing around.

XD: Chippy B didn’t need to be crying over a tattoo. If you can make one cheek freeze then a tattoo should be nothing.

Archer: All those girls were going in on Erica but for her to say that she’s intimidating…girl.

XD: Her jaw is intimidating

Archer: I love that Kristen expresses her feelings about Erica every chance she gets lol.

Iron Jaw Erica

XD: That was completely unnecessary. Erica was chillin…or her jaw was chillin minding her own business.

Archer: Well its all because Erica was blatantly rude during the first episode and Kristen had to put her in her place

XD: That was two episodes ago, get over it.

Archer: So... Kristen’s mom.

Kristen on the phone with Mom

XD: I love her. We should be friends’ she gives me “woman who lunch.” Kristen is a spoiled brat.

Archer: I love Kristen and all her spoiled glory, she’s still real. She reminds me of Anna Nicole.

XD: God rest her soul.

Archer: Moving on to Lea and the married man. Abrasive much?

Lea on the phone with her married guy

XD: He had some nerve trying to tell her to leave so that they could be together. Cat was right, men always know their self worth. Besides her other boo was cuter.

Archer: Jeff is a second rate Brody Jenner. More like forth rate.

XD: He looks like Chandler from “Friends”. He has that whole douche bag thing. His attitude is strong, Erica’s face is strong…it works I see why she’s attracted to him and Danielle is a whore.

Archer: Cat went all the way off over a few dollars.

XD: Cat did go a little overboard she didn’t know when to shut up. If Jeff did offer then that’s different but about Erica that’s none of her business.

Archer: She’s CRAZY lol.

XD: She held her ground., she held her own. You’re in the BGC you know what kind of women they are.

Archer: She spat on him!

XD: He spat on her!

Archer: And Danielle was STILL trying to get it in, literally.

XD: I appreciated her then. She’s still a whore but I appreciate her trying to get her boots knocked.

Archer: Then Brandi started breaking shit.

Brandi rallying the troops?

XD: Brandi just needed to shut the hell up. She wanted to be apart so bad. You’re not helping the situation.

Archer: What got me was that Erica was really blocking for him every time Cat attacked.

XD: Brandi trying to push Kristen to stop Erica was like *files nails*

Archer: Kristen really wanted Cat to hurt Erica

XD: Kristen plays prissy white girl. I’m going to let my black friend fight because she can take care of herself…because she’s black.

Archer: Cat regulates. She walks in “Lets discuss it” then walks out.

XD: Why was Danielle there? I didn’t get it. 

Archer: She was background noise.

XD: Danielle is an extra.

Archer: Zach not being able to pay for a bagel, I mean after the all the stuff that went on the night before did he not learn?

XD: I don’t know why she was complaining about him paying for a bagel when she said she only had 2 dollars to her name.

Archer: She said that? I missed that one.

XD: Mhm

Archer: Lea’s other man gave me douche appearance.

XD: Adam HESOFAHN I love him. He didn’t like it too much when she said she’s leaving Miami.

Archer: Danielle and Erica have an alliance.

XD: This aint Survivor or Big Brother!

Archer: LOL

XD: The too broke bitches are besties? O ok

Archer: Kristen loves to throw stuff.

Drunk Kristen crying after fight

XD: I think Kristen has some kind of psychological disorder. Erica was chillin being ugly and here come Kristen and her chunky self creating all this noise at an unchristian hour. Kristen didn’t have to break all there target décor like that.

Archer: Ahahahaha. Shut up!

XD: Next week is going to be a lot of yelling, I’m going to watch it on mute.

Archer: Wait! Can we talk about the Snuggie Macarena?

XD: Greatest commercial on tv today!

Tell us what you think: Was Catya wrong for fighting with Jeff over money? Let's discuss!

Be sure to follow Archer and X.D. on twitter!

The Bad Girls Club airs Tuesdays at 9PM on Oxygen!

The Trend Report: Handbags

Tiny of the Trend Report

Handbags like so many other things - come in all shape and sizes. And if you are anything like me, boy oh boy do I like a variety! I am a lil obsessed with handbags. Big ones, small ones, pink ones, black ones - the list is endless.

Here are a few bags worth your while and your money “wink”. 

DVF Brianna Tote

 Gianni Bini Olivia Satchel

Tiny Tip: Ladies: NO, NO, NO to totes in the club. There’s nothing like a clutch when going out. Please! Don’t be that one chick at the club with a big ass tote bag… 

Aldo Dispenza

Bur Bur Bag

Bur Bur Bag

Bur Bur Bag

Crystal Clutch

Jessica McClintock Clutch

 

Last but certainly not least…For all the fabulous moms out there, ya’ll better work and do it in style honey!!!!

Coach Audrey Bag

Elite Metallic Bag

Juicy Couture Diaper Bag

What are some of your favorite kinds of handbags? What are you looking forward to rockin' for fall? Let's discuss!

Tiny

The Buzz....

(keeping our ears to the streets)

Second Time Around? Maybe.

Our favorite ex-wife, thanks to the infamous BET series Tiny and Toya, may have a new hubby-to-be.  Toya Carter b.k.a. Lil Wayne’s ex wife may have wedding bells serenading her – again.

Antonia "Toya" Carter and her fiance Memphitz

Toya was spotted rocking what could be an engagement ring.  If so, no surprise there, since Toya glows every time she speaks of her boo Memphitz.  The rock was glistening all night while the couple partied at NV Lounge in New Orleans this past weekend. Congratulations may be in order, but only time will tell. Stay tuned!         MAKE IT RAIN

Forbes just released a list of Hip Hop's most notorious money makers. Judging by the dollar signs, it’s obvious that not everyone is being affected by the recession. The key to the big bank is the multiple endeavors that these high end earners partake in. Fashion lines, restaurants, fragrances and countless endorsements – cue Money Money Money!

Here is Forbes top 20 list of Hip Hops money makers:

1.  Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, $63 Million2.  Sean "Diddy" Combs $30 million3.  Aliuane "Akon" Thiam, $21 million4.  Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter, $20 million5.  Andre "Dr. Dre" Young, $17 million6.  Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges, $16 million  7.  Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus, $15 million  8.  Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley, $14 million  9.  Pharrell Williams, $13 million  10.  Kanye West, $12 million  11. Drake, $10 mill  12. (TIE) T.I. and 13. Swizz Beatz ($9 mill)  14. (TIE) Eminem,  15. 50 Cent and 16. Young Jeezy ($8 mill)17. Common $7 mill18. ( TIE) Soulja Boy 19. T-Pain $6 mill 20. Lil Jon ($5 mill)

Badu, from "Window Seat" video

MS. BADU IS ALL PAID UP  Remember when Ms. Erykah Badu was cited for disorderly conduct for running naked through the city for her “Window Seat” (left) video months ago? Well Ms. Baduizm has paid her $500.00 fine although she is still serving her six months of probation. - The one you need to know when you want to know,  Mz. Exclusive

Mommy Corner: Empty Nest Syndrome?

Flossie Alexander

Empty Nest? Or New Opportunity?

As Tiffanee and I walked up to the school I said to her, "Do you realize this is the last first day of elementary school that we will ever have?" And she says with a smile, "Ya, that's weird mom."  It is weird to me too with her being the last of 7 kids in elementary school with 3 in college now.

Can you say EMPTY NEST SYNDROME comin' my way!?

Millions of mothers and fathers every year experience sending their baby off to school for the very last day of the first day of elementary.   What does this mean with our kids growing up?  With my own experience, I know once they hit middle  school, it seems that time flies by super-fast.  There aren't many parties to host in school anymore or field trips that need chaperoning anymore. Our kids develop and independence.

We start to feel the breeze of free time floating into our space for the first time in years. I started realizing this last year when I sat in my house alone and everyone else was off doing "their own thing" and I had no idea what to do with myself.

The bottom line: what this really means is we will start having more time to focus on ourselves.

Getting to that YOU Time

With your new found "YOU TIME," do an inventory of where you are health wise:  Do you feel good about you?  Is it time to join some social groups to get you out and making friends?  Do you need to join a gym or get a health/weight loss coach to create a new you?  Do you have the career you want? Have you accomplished everything you wanted to do when you were planning your future at 18? Where do you want to be in 5 years when your baby is on his or her way to graduate from high school? Where do you want to be in 10 years?  How do you want to retire from the working world?

The "Where do you want to be?" question is something I ask myself EVERY day now.  When you come to that moment when your world has been interrupted by your kids pitter patting off into their own world and you realize the colors on the walls aren't as bright as they used to be, it is time to create the YOU world and get back to accomplishing everything you ever wanted.


Be Healthy Every Day, You Are Worth It!

Flossie, Fitness and Nutrition Editor

New York Minute: Bed Begs Infest AMC 25 Movie Theater in Times Square

First The New York Public Library and now the AMC Empire 25 movie theater complex on 42nd Street. The heart of Times Square is infested with bed bugs.

AMC 25 Movie Theater

After getting several complaints, the movie palace shut it’s doors Tuesday night. It seems bed bugs don’t just show up in beds. Katheryn Prior stated, when talking about the angry welts easily seen on her person, "I got them at the movies last night." AMC inspected the Empire 25  and found the bed bugs. Caring about their customers they immediately shut down.

The theatre had previously tested negative on August 3rd. Bed bugs have become such a problem that the City Council has created an Advisory Board to plan it’s next steps. Since 2009, bed bugs have infested CNN at the Time Warner Building, Victoria’s Secret, Bergdorf Goodman’s, Abercrombie and Fitch, College’s and even the city’s Health Department. 40-percent of bedbug problems now occur in commercial businesses.

 

What are bed bugs exactly and how do we get rid of them?

Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. Hatchling bed bugs are about the size of a poppy seed, and adults are about 1/4 of an inch in length. From above they are oval in shape, but are flattened from top to bottom. Their color ranges from white to a deep brown or burnt orange. They become bloated when filled with blood.

Getting rid of bed bugs is not an easy process, and most cases of bed bug infestation requires treatment by a pest-control expert. Pest-control companies can help determine if the mattress can be disinfected or must be discarded. Since beds cannot readily be treated with insecticides, it's often necessary to discard infested mattresses andTh beds. Maybe AMC might consider getting rid of its seats.
The pest-control expert may recommend other forms of deep-cleaning to remove the eggs.

AMC will be open today, but be cautious.

 News Courtesy of The Time Square Chronicles

The Buzz....

(keeping our ears to the streets)

Congrats are in order for former Dougie Howser, MD star Neil Patrick Harris, who is expecting fraternal twins via surrogate with his partner. There is also news that he may quit the business. Will the "How I Met Your Mother" star trade a life of stardom for the quiet life of parenthood?

Couple Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow were seen out having fun in the Hamptons this past weekend with their BFF Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.

Hmph... No Beyonce? So does that means the "Dangerously in Love" diva is really preggo and in hiding? You know you're curious to know what that baby will look like if she truly is with child.... Just like ya'll can't wait to see Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz (left) offspring will favor o_O

Actor Michael Douglas was diagnosed with throat cancer and is set to undergo some major radiation therapy. Both he and his doctor are optimistic.

Lady GaGa is on the cover of Vanity Fair (left) speaking about life,drugs and sex. Gagaloo says she doesn't have sex because "her va-jay-jay is where her creativity comes from." Hmmm...Yeah. You already know she's as fruity as a fruit cake and for the record: sex. vagina - the possible things that can come from the cooch is never referred to as 'creative'. It's either a baby or an STD.

-Kisha Green, She's So New York Buzz Writer

In Loving Memory: Abbey Lincoln

She's So New York Mourns the passing of Jazz Great, Abbey Lincoln 

Born Anna Marie Wooldridge, Abbey held many titles as an actress, artist and composer. Her music ranged from the civil rights era recordings to the equally powerful jazz recordings of her later years.  She co-starred with Sidney Poitier in 1968's For Love of Ivy, in which she received a 1969  Golden Globe nomination for her appearance in the film. Abbey also played the role of young Bleek Gilliams' mother in the Spike Lee movie Mo' Better Blues, played by Denzel Washington. 

Abbey Lincoln believed that her voice could help  bridge the gap between politics and racism in the United States. In 1960, she sang on We Insist! - Freedom Now Suite by jazz musician Max Roach, whom she later married. It became a landmark jazz civil rights recording during that time. In 1993, she received the Jazz Masters Award, the nation's highest jazz honor.  Lincoln died at age 80 in Manhattan.

Best of Summer 2010 Awards: Summer Trends

She's So New York presents its Best of Summer 2010 awards! Highlighting the best of the best of the Summer, we want you to pick the winners!


We're talking F-A-S-H-I-O-N here people! We have witnessed several trends walking the streets of NYC, but which trend did you ladies rock the most? Let's review shall we?


From denim to rustic cow girl, we've rocked them all and talked about them all, including in SSNY's The Trend Report (if you missed the latest TR post, click here) as well as with the one and only Glamm CEO of "Talking Glamm with the Glamm CEO" but what were we wearing the most?

Transformed into sheer chicness, floral prints have been seen in a number of variations this summer. Is this your winner?

From day to night,  booties are the most versatile of fab footwear. But is this your winner?

Denim is one of the most oldest trends of the bunch and has been worn faithfully throughout the summer. Is it your winner?

Cowboy Chic Never Looked So Good! Carefree, fun and full of fabulosity, is this your winner?

Crisp, Classic and Forever Fab, Black and White can be seen everywhere. Is this your winner?

So... Who Will Be The Winner?  DISCUSS & VOTE NOW!