One can’t help but chuckle a bit when first hearing about the Magnum Live Large Awards. Condom brands and awards ceremonies don’t really go hand in hand unless you happen to be attending one of those adults only conventions in Vegas. But the Magnum Live Large Awards held in Atlanta over the weekend was quite the classy affair. See more…

It’s hard to imagine a better place to celebrate the release of an album ten years in the making than Fat Beats, so it’s no surprise that Reflection Eternal (a.k.a. Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek) chose to stop by the legendary L.A. record shop the same day their long, long, long-awaited second album “Revolutions Per Minute” finally dropped. Watch exclusive performance video…

There is a certain rawness, edginess and sense of passion that has historically been captured through graffiti. As an art form, graffiti resounds as a loud and proud monster that has evolved since its emergence onto the scene, yet the most elite of art enthusiasts seemingly embrace it silently as they criticize and bash it amongst their peers. This is why renowned artists from around the nation have collaborated to showcase their artwork at the Future Development art exhibit, which will be featured at SoHo’s chic Loft 676 in NYC

The legendary Roxy theater in Los Angeles has seen more than its fair share of great performers in its storied history, but last Friday night that legacy added a new chapter when up-and comers U-N-I and J Davey put on a power packed show to a full house of adoring fans - and of course yours truly was in attendance. See more…

Erkyah Badu has always been an artist for the people, and at last night’s release party for her “New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh” she proved it in more ways than one. With the audience more than adequately hyped and a full band including a harp player backing her up, Erkyah finally stepped on stage and immediately proceeded to launch into a strikingly dope rendition of “The Healer” off “New Amerykah Part One”. See more…

Very few modern artists can truly pay proper homage to classic soul and r&b, but the eclectically talented Mayer Hawthorne is definitely one of them. Last week Hawthorne’s unique brand of retro-soul was on full display at New York’s Webster Hall Mayer as he crooned to a spellbound audience just like a classic Motown artist would have back in the day. See more…

Hip-hop nation is waiting with bated breath for Murs and 9th Wonder’s new collaborative album “Fornever”, but last Friday a select few (including yours truly) were given the chance to exhale during an exclusive listening session. Taking place in the L.A. clothing store And Still (which, by the way, is the spot for dope vintage sports gear), the listening session included a set from legendary DJ Rhettmatic, along with, of course, Murs himself introducing some of the album’s best tracks. I’m not trying to rub it in, but if you don’t wish you were there, you should. See more…

If you’re a fan of real hip-hop and you weren’t at L.A.‘s House of Blues on Wednesday night, I won’t lie, you missed out. Not to rub it in, but yours truly was in attendance for the a show that was about as real as it gets, thanks to blistering sets from up-and-comer Skyzoo and legendary Wu-Tang emcee Raekwon. If there’s still anyone claiming that hip-hop is dead, then Wednesday night was a heartbeat so loud you could hear it from blocks away (my ears are still ringing). See more for live video of the event…

The holiday season wouldn’t be quite right without that perfect bottle of vodka, cognac, or whatever your liquor of choice may be. On Tuesday, September 29 RefinedHype.com had the opportunity to preview the upcoming Moet Hennessy Holiday Gift Collection. Held at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta, Georgia the event previewed gift collections from some of the most sought after brands including Belvedere, Hennessy, and Grand Marnier. See more inside.