Better Designs

So I've been called a twitter addict, I don't believe it's that simple. I'm addicted to the interaction of fan and star, seller and consumer. I'm addicted to what makes a follower tick... lest we not forget that the beauty of twitter is that you choose to follow and unfollow.

Twitter fans are quick to diss Facebook, but both play their part depending on why you are on there in the first place. I've been doing what I do since before both platforms blew up. These platforms hurt many of the old school promoters and created an era of newer and possibly lazier promoters.

Prototype marketers didn't embrace these platforms but they have since had to adjust. Adapt or die is the way of the modern world and the world of business is even more harsh.

I'm of the theory that technology and platforms should be embraced and utilized, but only in conjunction with old school fundamentals.

It's like when the And1 mixtapes dropped. Suddenly kids could do incredible things with a basketball, dunk over cars and shit, but they can't hit open jumpers or lay-ups. Ever asked yourself why 'Hot Sauce' and the rest of the And1 team are not in the NBA? Think of an NBA coach as a big brand. Brands aren't looking for the flashiest,loudest talker on the strip with empty promises... they put their product in the hands of those who understand it and its target.

The basics may mean fewer girls cheer for you during the game, but the ladies only leave with the winners anyway... trust me.

I'm actually a marketing addict. I'm intrigued by the psyche and how people engage with a product and become loyal to it. Sometimes it's through pure addiction like with cigarettes... I believe in the cool factor. The success of AKA(other than pure talent and hard work) is due to his personality being part of our marketing plan. He's cool in my opinion away from work, so we can't lose that when it's time to work.

ALS is the strongest weekly Sunday event in the land. It's success is based on extensive research... no luck... no laziness. We have put cool people together and allowed everyone to shine in a room that is ego-free... we are there to have a good time... no tough guys.

Now we sell the cool factor to you on social networks predominantly but trust me when I say my camp is still big on fundamentals. I'm still in the street handing out flyers... yeah we push the cool, but I'm not too cool to push it. This is work so respect the blueprints, respect the designs that pave the way for better designs.

Sorry, but this would have been a long-ass tweet.

All love

Tibz

Stay Schemin

Although I've seen a few ladies tweet about it, it's safe to say that the current ninja anthem is "Stay Schemin" by Rick Ross featuring Drake and French Montana.

Now I'm likely to upset a few people but for me the true beauty of this joint(besides being rider music) is that it breaks down the curse of having bitches in your life. Now by bitches I am being in no way sexist... this includes the bitch ninjaz, diggers, instigators and leaches in general.

Ross lays it... sets the tone... speaks of his paranoia from his little ninjaz thugging... how he needs no liabilities in his life and doesn't wish to go to court... dude simply wishes to make and spend his chips in peace with the ninjaz that ride for him.

Let it be known, that despite many great verses on "Take Care", this is my favourite Drake verse in a long time. Again he breaks it down... how cats speak so much shit but go really quiet when you see them in person. I can relate to this... too many twitter tough guys with lethal thumbs but are on real-life mute when I see them.

He speaks of competition, how they must know and feel you but at the end of the day... you compete with yourself. He speaks of the instigating women who always try and break up crews by snitching on what the other ninja is up to. He speaks on how as dudes we're attracted to the woman who honours the code and doesn't snitch... so true.

The Kobe lines basically speaks of the consequences of our actions as men... honestly you reap what you sow.

French Montana has totally surprised me and he closes the joint in style. Simple and plain... don't snitch and takecare of the ones who takecare of you.

It's obvious why us dudes love this joint, but the politics between women are quite similar. Basically there will always be a scheme against you and majority of the time it's from someone really close to you... rid yourself of bitches.

Watch the company you keep.

Safe

ACTUAL LYRICS;

[Chorus]
I ride for my nigg-s dawg, I ride for my nigg-s
I slide for my nigg-s dawg, I ride for my nigg-s dawg

Stay schemin'
Nigg-s tryna get at me
I ride for my nigg-s
Stay schemin'
Nigg-s tryna get at me
I ride for my nigg-s

[Rick Ross]
Damn, life so short, f-ck it, I don't wanna go to court
F-ck it, got a budget for the lawyer though
F-ck it, I'm on the run for the money
I'm in the bucket, paid 200 for it
My lil' nigg-s thuggin', even got me paranoid
I'm gettin' money, that's the needy n-gga category
Double M I got G's out in California

[Chorus]
I ride for my nigg-s dawg, I ride for my nigg-s
I slide for my nigg-s dawg, I ride for my nigg-s dawg

Stay schemin'
Nigg-s tryna get at me
I ride for my nigg-s
Stay schemin'
Nigg-s tryna get at me
I ride for my nigg-s

[Drake]
It bothers me when the guards get to acting like the broads
Guess every team doesn't come complete with nigg-s like ours
That's why I see no need to compete with nigg-s like y'all
I just ask that when you see me you speak up nigg-s that's all
Don't be ducking like you never wanted nothing
It's feeling like rap change
There was a time it was rugged
Back when if a n-gga reached it was for the weapon
Nowadays n-ggas reach, just to sell they record
Spaguetti bolognese in apollo lounge
Me and my G from DC, that's how I roll around
Might look light, but we heavy though
You think drake would pull some sh-t like that you never know
Million dollar meetings in apollo lounge
Me and my man Oliver North, that's how I roll around
Shorty wanted to tell me secrets about a rap n-gga
I told that b-tch it's more attractive when you hold it down
Kobe about to lose a hundred fifty M's
Kobe my n-gga I hated it had to be him
B-tch you wasn't with me shooting in the gym


(huh!? b-tch you weren't with me shooting in the gym)

Tell lucien, and I say f-ck it
I'm tearing holes my budget
Bag it like we in Publix
And take her ass out in public
Order her a filet told her butterflies, she'll love it
She's used to soda and nuggets, she's really just out here thugging
I'm just here in my pinecle
You a pussy identical
You like the f-cking finish line
We can't wait to run into you
But let me get my mind off that young rich m-therf-cking getting mine off rap, where my n-ggas!

[Chorus]
I ride for my nigg-s dawg, I ride for my nigg-s
I slide for my nigg-s dawg, I ride for my nigg-s dawg

Stay schemin'
Nigg-s tryna get at me
I ride for my nigg-s
Stay schemin'
Nigg-s tryna get at me
I ride for my nigg-s

[French Montana]
For new the coupe to the Ghost dawg
Pigeons on the roof like ghost dawg
The white howard on the pose dawg
My nigg-s got the powder through the post dawg
Watch the body tilt when you hit the head
Nigg-s lost mills tryna beat the feds
10 grams off my last 250 now
Big ass crib, 250 down, damn
Gave my n-gga Mac 75
Then gave my n-gga penthouse in another 30
F-ck got me thinking like Im 75
Damn, n-gga aint even seen 30

[Chorus]
I ride for my nigg-s dawg, I ride for my nigg-s
I slide for my nigg-s dawg, I ride for my nigg-s dawg

Stay schemin'
Nigg-s tryna get at me
I ride for my nigg-s
Stay schemin'
Nigg-s tryna get at me
I ride for my nigg-s

The Lot

The Lot on Kloof Street, Cape Town is one of few stores that does unisex and does it well. 


Current supply sticks to trends of flat peaks in highlighter shades, colourfully saturated skinny jeans, great sunglasses and accessories and a selection of beautiful, bohemian tops and dresses for girls. 


Now I definitely stay away from the skinnys but I always find a gem or two. I picked up a tough leather jacket on my last trip... AKA and Fanatic came out with some really fresh luggage.


I also picked up something fresh for my smile's keeper... don't just shop for yourselves fellaz... trust me.

Festive Fabulosity Workshop

All love to Claire Mawisa and Code Teen for thinking of me for their Festive Fabulosity Workshop. Myself and my dude JR joined Claire on a panel where 100 young ladies had the opportunity to ask us anything in order to understand us men.

I walked away with a few lessons, it's amazing to know what ladies worry about and what they actually need from us dudes. It was also important for me to be honest with them regarding what us dudes find unfair and what we need.

We need to have more of these conversations... they will make for greater relationships and friendships.

Let's all take care of each other.

Thank you ladies...

All I do is show love

So it's that time of the year when everyone is pumped up and motivated... I love it. I love the passion, love  the focus and drive... I can only hope that it lasts all year. I can only hope that the passion has stamina.

I've just come out of my best fourth quarter yet... AKA was on a stage several times a week, we messed with clients like Dom Perignon, Play and Miller... ALS stamped its authority as the best weekly Sunday event in Johannesburg and Head Honcho put up record sales for our Summer range.

I'm currently blogging from my hotel room in Bloemfontein. This is my base and office for a few days because AKA will be performing at the ANC Centenary celebration and there is a great amount of work behind the scenes... we are happy to be starting the year strong.

As I reflect on the year that was, I can only smile. There were dark moments, there was pressure, there were doubters and many who were and are still against us... we fought the good fight and we won. There is a simple rule in my camp... no sulking. We approach work like war... we train, strategize and attack. When our  backs are against the wall, we motivate each other... kill or be killed.

The glory was there for us to bask in; hits, awards, sales, etc... Our last event was Head Honcho's third birthday in Cape Town and we had over a thousand people in attendance. It was beautiful.

Now one could hold onto that glory, continue to soak it up but that's not us. With the new year... everyone starts from scratch. I am fully aware that we are no longer the underdogs, fully aware that there are plenty who will play it very close and not necessarily have our best interests at heart... they can get as close as they want.

The talk is whether or not we'll have longevity... even though this is now Showlove's sixth year and Head Honcho's fourth. I'm sure I'll still be asked what I do for a living what's my claim to fame. My answer is still the same... I don't claim fame and all I do is show love.

I have the same resolution as always, to simply be better and to simply do it bigger. This year I turn 30 and I'm genuinely looking forward to it... I'm not getting older, I'm getting better. I'm more motivated than ever, I can still do my thing on the sports field, still kill the dance floor but now I move like a veteran. I'm far more more composed, waste less time and have zero tolerance where bullshit is concerned... I'm what happiness looks like.

2011 made me wiser, opened my mind and heart. I'm more willing to share... if you deserve it. It taught me about people and how you can be a hero and villain to the same person depending on the moment. I was made fully aware that you are defined in the moment. 2011 taught me that once you define and accept yourself, it's a lot easier to function in this world.

So no resolutions... just targets. My targets are for AKA to win a SAMA, Dj Fanatic to become a big name dj, for Showlove to shock me first and then shock you and for us to open a Head Honcho flagship store. The work is hard and I relish it.

On a personal note, I'm as peaceful as I've ever been... my hunger for specific affection is being fed and I will continue to show love.

All love

Tibz