944

Hip-hop entertainer Common takes music into a whole new perspective. Not only does he apply real life experiences but he lives by the phrase "what am I giving to the world" when creating his music. Common relates this process of thinking to "Finding Forever," which he labeled his seventh album, predominantly produces by world-reowned artist Kanye West. Along with "Finding Forever" being his first chart-topper on the Billboard charts, it was later was nominated and won many awards throughout 2007-2008.

Common's acting career started in 2003 with small appearances in television sitcoms, but than made his big screen debut with the hottest celebrities in "Smokin' Aces." This opportunity opened doors for Common which lead to other features such as "Wanted" featuring Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, and "American Gangster" featuring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.

Common has actively been involved with different organizations, including PETA to support animal rights, Knowing is Beautiful, a HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, along with supporting President Obama in his run to the White House during 2008. He has now paired up with Eden Roc and Hotel944 to perform with the hottest acts and celebrities, promising one of the biggest parties that Miami has ever seen. Friday, February 5th he will be taking over the party poolside to perform with artist Drake.



Written by: Kelsey Mazzotta

The talent list keeps getting better for the super weekend party being held at the Edon Roc in Miami Beach, Fla., February 4-7. One of the newest artists to be performing at this star-filled, four-day event is Drake. You can hear Drake live February 5 at 9 p.m. till 12 a.m. (Who would have thought Jimmy from "Degrassi" was going to be one of the hottest new rappers to hit the industry?)

Drake, who group up in Canada, started his carreer as Jimmy Brooks on the hit Canadian show "Degrassi: The Next Generation." Drake played a basketball star who became paralyzed when his classmate shot him in the back. Ironically, after his shooting he began to focus on his music career with his on-television girlfriend Ashley.

Drake's music career began in 2006 when he released a mixtape on his MySpace. With all the buzz his mixtape made he began producing more. In 2007, he released "Comeback Season" which featured the single "Replacement Girl." When "Replacement Girl" aired on BET, Drake became the first unsigned Canadian rapper to have his music video shown on BET. Soon after, Drake's music fell in the hands of Lil Wayne, and Wayne insisted Drake come on tour with him.

In 2009 Drake released his third mixtape, "So Far Gone", which featured two singles, "Best I Ever Had" and "Successful." Since his release of "So Far Gone," Drake has worked with music legends ranging from Jay-Z to Mary J. Blige. This is definitely an act and performance you do not want to miss.

For more information about Drake check out http://www.myspace.com/thisisdrake. Written by: Lena Sotnick

In Los Angeles, good barbershops are as hard to come by as good scripts. Woody Lovell and his Barber Shop Club brand is planning to fix all of that, again, with the reopening of the Barber Shop Club at the Grove. Once a landmark testosterone destination on Melrose Avenue that cut, lined and shaved everyone from Shaq and Mike Tyson to Leonardo Dicaprio and Vince Vaughn, the Barber Shop Club closed its doors in 2006, and owner Woody Lovell took up the life of leisure and surfing. Now back to revive its past splendor, Lovell says the Barber Shop Club at the Grove will offer the same old-school style and razor sharp talent that had brought locals, celebs and prestige to the Melrose shop. According to Lovell, “you’re service [is] top notch no matter who you are…something hard to come by in today’s LA.” With décor reminiscent of the 1940’s, chess games, sports and the optional shoe shine, the Barber Shop Club at the Grove looks to be the classy man’s playground.

6333 W. Third Street, Los Angeles | 323.933.0212 Written by: Kira Coplin

The edgy-chic line that has taken the luxury denim market by storm with its rock and roll infused creations has recently claimed a spot on legendary Robertson Boulevard as home to its flagship store. More than a store, the 3,800-square-foot building offers everything from R&R signature denim to accessories and the newly released cosmetics line. Beyond sexy denim, the store also houses the brand's newest suits, gowns, stilettos and handbags. CEO and visionary, Michael Ball has spared no expense, boasting an in-house DJ, personal style consultants and make-up artists all under one rockin’ roof. R&R’s new store on the corner of Robertson and Alden is seemingly the first of many premier shopping destinations by the booming brand.

105 S. Robertson Boulevard | 310.285.4086 Written by: Kira Coplin

Hotel 944 at Eden Roc Renaissance Resort will host a surprise live performance by Ne-Yo on Februrary 4, 2010 to help kick off the biggest sports weekend of the year!

Ne-Yo's debut into the world of R&B kicked off in 2000 and since then he's been a force to reckon with. From 2000-2005 he strictly dealt with songwriting for major artists. His first big break came when he wrote "Let Me Love You" for Mario which showered him with credibility. Following the release of the successful song, Def Jam records beat everyone to the finish line to sign Ne-Yo. He's written songs for artists like Beyonce, Rihanna, Whitney Houston and even Celin Dion! Since 2006, Ne-Yo has released three solo albums, his most recent was 2008's "Year of the Gentlemen" which produced two top ten singles "Closer" and "Miss Independent."

In addition to his singing and songrwiting, Ne-Yo has also graced the world on the big screen. In 2007 he starred in "Save the Last Dance" as well as "Stomp the Yard" and lended his voice for the soundtrack on both films as well. His impressive dancing only adds to the plethora of talents he posesses.

For more information about Ne-Yo check out www.yearofthegentlemen.com Written by: Nicole Cooper

In honor of the Super Bowl XLIV, Miami Beach, Fla., will be poppin' off with tons of parties all weekend long. Events sponsered by companies such as Bud Light, Hooters, Pepsi, Maxim, Playboy and many more are sure to make headlines, so make sure you get all the information necessary. This will be a weekend to remember!

Remember to pack a baithing suit, because in the city of string bikinis, pool parties are of plenty! Attend Hotel 944 at Eden Roc Renaissance Resort where Skam Artist DJs will be spinning poolside Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday from 10am-4pm. Hooter's is hosting a daily pool party at the Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel in South Beach from January 28th to February 7th. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., is home to the Red Bull pool party at 1pm on Februrary 4th.

Join Holly Madison, Kim Kardashian and Roselyn Sanchez for their Leather and Laces event at the Art Deco Paris Theater on Friday February 5th. Kendra Wilkinson will be hosting Super Friday with TropicBeauty.com's model search at the Passion Nightclub at the Hard Rock Hotel on Friday Februrary 5th. Don't miss the Bud Bowl concert with Usher at the Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel on February 5th.

Be sure to check out www.supersundayhq.com for a detailed list of events and happenings going on Super Bowl weekend. Written by: Nicole Cooper

Lately I wonder what I would talk about if it weren't for Lady Gaga and “Jersey Shore” and boring Facebook friends who only ever post the most mundane details of their day. (Yes, I love Fridays, too, and congrats on polishing off that apple and finally getting your rain gutters clean, but do you ever have an opinion of any kind?)

Then I remember that I, too, have no life.

Then I ponder why I became an editor and writer in the first place … To cover way cooler people with way more interesting lives than my own? Yes. To sound off with typed words because I'm too big of a wuss to confront people in person? Yes. To justify my penchant for curling up like a hermit with my laptop and the Julio Iglesias Pandora station as my only companions? Yes.

Then I get kinda down and swear off TMZ.com for a week and try to take up a new hobby like rock climbing or cooking or returning phone calls.

Then I decide to get over myself, as I have a job to do, and it's a pretty freakin' cool job. It's one that involves connecting readers to interesting stories, trends and fabulous people, places and happenings making San Diego tick. It is in fact a huge part of my life, and that's not nothing.

Speaking of cool happenings, the massive ASR trade show is in town today and tomorrow, taking place at the SD Convention Center (www.asrbiz.com); Hotel 944 and Super Bowl weekend launches tomorrow in Miami with four days of bashes and performances by Snoop Dogg, Wyclef and Common, among many others (www.hotel944.com); and Friday is National Wear Red Day in support of women battling heart disease �” a cause very close to 944's own heart (check out our new February issue all over town for details and inspiring stories of San Diego women that will melt your heart).

In the meantime, I am counting myself blessed for the life I have. And I promise to lay off on talking about Gaga and Snooki … Unless they start dating each other or something wacky.

Sarah Daoust

944 Managing Editor

P.S. Don't knock Julio until you've tried him on Pandora. Written by: Sarah Daoust

There's new evidence that Poltergeist wasn't such stretch. A new study reveals that about 10% of children hear voices that aren’t really there. More interesting, most aren’t too disturbed by it, There is a higher chance of schizophrenia among kids who hear them, but most kids will stop hearing them as they age. One interesting difference is that city kids were less likely to hear voices, but more bothered by them when they did. (An early sign of maturity, perhaps?) Now I’m waiting for a study about what children see. Written by: Hadley Henriette

Ok, a little diversion from the fashion world, but I am so excited that Lost has finally returned. The wait between seasons was interminable - so many questions left unanswered! - and this season is bittersweet since it's the last. But after watching the three-hour season premier last night, it looks like it's going to be an incredible end to one of my favorite shows ever.


IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED IT YET, STOP READING NOW!!!

AND CLICK HERE TO WATCH WHAT YOU MISSED: http://abc.go.com/shows/lost



The first hour was a recap of all the previous seasons and the main plot lines. Wow, are there ever a lot of plot lines. This show is so deliciously complex.

Then the good stuff started. Juliet, in the hole, pounding on the bomb with a rock - did it go off? Did it work? Well, then there was Jack, sitting in his seat on the original Oceanic flight, talking to Rose. I didn't catch it at first, but my perceptive fiance pointed out that the dialogue was switched, with Rose saying Jack's lines and vice versa - our first clue that something has changed. And then they land in LA! They made! The bomb worked!

But wait - now there's a shot of Kate, Jack and friends waking up back on the island with their ears ringing, as if they've just "flashed" through time. WTF? Ok, so maybe it didn't work?

Well, it did and it didn't. There are now two parallel, alternate narratives. It will be interesting to see how each develops and whether or not they come together in the end. I bet it will all depend on what - or who - is inhabiting the form of the now clearly dead-for-real John Locke. Are the smoke monster and Jacob's nemesis one and the same? And what's with this new temple culture? Dead-Jacob sent Hurley to the temple so they could save Sayid, but instead they drown him? Is Jacob going to take over Sayid's form and battle it out with the monster/Locke? How will Ben factor into all of this? Will Claire ever come back into the picture? What is going on with Jack's dad, Christian? What the hell is Richard Alpert?

As always, Lost answers just enough before posing even more questions. And I can't wait to see how they all get answered. Written by: Rebecca Stevens

Cbssports.com football writer Gregg Doyel put up a pretty interesting article today about New Orleans Saints fullback Kyle Eckel, who played college ball at the U.S. Naval Academy.

You're probably thinking, "Wow, that's great. A proud veteran makes it to the big game in the NFL. Dreams do come true." Well, not exactly. The problem is that Eckel graduated in 2005. Since the academy requires all graduates to serve on active duty for at least 5 years, what's he doing playing professional football this season?

Some pretty interesting tidbits here, most notably the fact that no one involved (neither Eckel nor the Naval Academy) would go on record for the piece.

Take a read, and be ready for what will surely be much more coverage down the line.

www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/12874836 Written by: D.B. Mitchell

Patrick Bateman, (not to be confused with that dickhead Marcus Halberstram)is the fictional main character of “American Psycho” and is also my ultimate dream man. Well, except for that serial killing stuff. Anyway, today is a day to rejoice, because according to Tony-award winning musician Duncan Sheik, my hero, the star of this “. . . timeless tale of alienation and solipsism” is coming back, and this time, he will be SINGING.

Pop a Xanax, slip into some Armani and be sure you've got plenty of tastefully thick, bone-colored business cards, because Sheik announced Tuesday that he'll be writing the music and lyrics for the musical version of AP, which he promises will capture the 1980's spirit of the original, along with pop tunes from the decade of excess. I hope that it includes Sussudio. It's a great, great song, one of my personal favorites.

And if the paragraph above didn't include enough American Psycho references for you, please take a long, leisurely look at Christian Bale as the perfect male specimen. (Except for that serial killing, of course.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-yoMEZXnbQ&feature=related
Written by: Laurel May

here is a sample of my first attempt at becoming the new joan rivers.

hey joan, all good things must come to an end.

http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/22401884/index.html

snooki?

really.

what was she doing there.

i guess my invite got lost in the mail.


Written by: melinda sheckells

Who knew that I had something in common with an Olympic Ice Skater?

Five -time medalist Apolo Anton Ohno recently confessed our shared obsession to People Magazine:

"I have a lot of shoes," Ohno says. "I have a weird, weird, obsessive amount of shoes. I just ordered three more pairs the other day. It's not only athletic shoes. I've got shoes I haven't worn, and I bought them three months ago, and they are just sitting in the box. It's bad. It's a problem. The first step is admitting it, and I just did!"

Well, I admitted it long ago and it still hasn't curbed my enthusiasm.







Written by: Isoul H. Harris

Suns guard and All-Star starter Steve Nash graces the cover of business magazine Fast Company this month. The feature story provides an in-depth look at the basketball star's off-the-court business interests, including a film production company, endorsements and various non-profits.

Here's a link to a slideshow with the highlights:
http://www.fastcompany.com/pics/steve-nash-nbas-top-entrepreneur

We here at GAME are a fan of Nash's social media videos, including the classic video featuring the Suns on their bus singing "All Night Long."

http://www.944.com/blog/game/the-phoenix-suns-do-it-all-night-long/

Written by: D.B. Mitchell

The pouty, plump look of red lips and smoky eyes on women goes beyond being aesthetically pleasing to men; it’s actually based on biology. In Harvard psychologist Richard Russell’s “The Illusion of Sex” study, which who won third prize in the 5th Annual Illusion of the Year Contest last May, his research found that women are perceived to have more facial contrast -- essentially redder lips, lighter skin and darker eyes than men. And this makes them more attractive to the opposite sex; go figure.

So to celebrate the month of love, it’s time for the ladies to find a stunning shade of red lipstick (guys who are bold enough, just ask someone at the make-up counter and bring a photo of your girlfriend). In my testing, I found to adore the sample of Mattése Elite’s Lipstick in Blow I received. It’s rich and creamy with a wet-finish shine and it smells incredible. Another major bonus? The entire collection ranges in price from $10 to $15.

Though not yet available in stores in any 944 locations (just Ricky’s NYC), the brand is available online at www.RicksNYC.com
Written by: Katie Pegler