Two weeks ago, we had the honor of attending the Toyota Scion IQ Press Event in Manhattan Beach, CA at the Shade Hotel. Everything about this trip and event got the “dope” stamp of approval. Even the actual car.

Meeting the needs of a new trendsetting generation of urban drivers, the iQ
succeeds at taking big ideas and concentrating them into a small package. The
Scion iQ is only 10 feet long yet seats four people, making it the world’s smallest fourseater. Made possible by intelligent and functional packaging, the iQ is a small car that offers the
functionality and comfort that drivers expect from a car twice its size.

• With a 78.7-inch wheelbase and a unique suspension design – consisting of
  MacPherson struts up front, and a compact torsion beam rear suspension – the three door
  hatchback can deftly maneuver through our New York City traffic.
• All iQs will come standard with the Star Safety System TM, which includes antilock
  Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA),
  Traction Control (TRAC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Smart Stop Technology
  brake-override. A tire-pressure monitoring system is also standard equipment.
• The iQ will be available in seven exterior colors, including Blizzard Pearl, Classic
  Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Hot Lava, Pacific Blue
  Metallic and Black Currant Metallic.

The iQ’s functional “3+1” seating equates to the world’s smallest four-passenger
vehicle. The four-seat configuration is made possible because the driver and front passenger
seats are slightly off set.

The iQ comes standard with a Scion Drive Monitor that displays information like
outside temperature, average MPG and an ECO-drive indicator that helps the driver
maximize the iQ’s fuel efficiency.

The iQ truly focuses on youth with its all-new standard AM/FM/CD/HD/USB
160-watt maximum output Pioneer™ audio system. Standard features for all 2012
Scions include Bluetooth connectivity, which allows both hands-free phone connection
and streaming audio capability, and HD Radio technology. Streaming audio allows
compatible phone or personal media devices to pair with the audio system and deliver
music through the vehicles sound system. The audio system also features an organic
electroluminescent (OEL) screen with a personalized welcome screen, iPod®/USB
connectivity, Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR), and a subwoofer RCA output. The USB port and universal auxiliary (AUX) port are located on the center console, which allows
users to listen to their portable music collection through the iQ’s four Pioneer speakers. LOUD.

The 2012 Scion iQ will begin arriving at dealerships on the west coast starting
this October. The car will be available in other regions of the country beginning in early
2012. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2012 iQ is $15,265.

Face it, we probably spend something close to 15k on food and drinks a year…Time to leave the bars alone, and ride in a dope set of wheels.

We teamed up with the good folks over at http://albotas.com to test drive the Scion IQ around the Manhattan Beach area, we got lost a little and found our way somewhere near El Segundo. The ultimate test was the “pocket parallel”. Perfect!

@brownkidd from http://albotas.com working the camera

Yes, we hug cars too.

Special thanks to the entire Toyota Scion team, The Shade Hotel crew and the beautiful city of Manhattan Beach, California for the great weekend!

Proud to say we work with Fool’s Gold, they really know and understand their consumer so everything we do is on point! The 2nd annual Day Off event on Labor Day was no exception. A huge crowd gathered at City Winery in NYC to check an incredible DJ line up featuring Nick Catchdubs, Brothers Macklovitch and Just Blaze. The audience was also entertained with performances by Party Supplies, Cubic Zirconia, araabMUZIK, Danny Brown and Juicy J (Trippy Mane!). I was lucky enough to have all access, c’mon you know how I do, so check out the event from my perspective.

We closed out our Model x LTD+ summer series at the Rivington Hotel Rooftop with the homeys On Smash and Prohibit for “Fall Back” event. DJ Soul and Plain Pat held down the turntables while Hof, Chace Infinite, and Hawaii Mike tore the roof off with the rest of our evening’s patrons. Many thanks to everyone that came out to support all of our events this summer. Make sure to keep your eyes and ears alert for what we have in store for the Fall and Winter.

Photos courtesy of Brook Bobbins

COMMON IS LATEST SUBJECT IN EXCLUSIVE FILM SERIES – DISCUSSING ‘BE’

Renaissance man Common discusses his 1995 album ‘Be’ in the latest installment of the exclusive film series ‘Classic Albums By Classic Artists’ presented by Reebok Classics & Rock The Bells

In the film, he talks about teaming with fellow Chicagoan Kanye West to produce his second gold record and working with J Dilla one last time before his passing.

See Common perform his Kanye West-produced album at the New York Rock The Bells Festival show on September 3.