DUB Magazine Issue 67

JUL / AUG 2010

JUL / AUG 2010

DUB MAGAZINE ISSUE 67 JUL/AUG 2010 CONTENTS

62 68

76 82

62

MUHAMMAD ALI’S CELEBRITY fiGHT NIGHT

68

RON ARTEST

76

TS DESIGNS

82

GHOST MOTORSPORTS

88

SHANTE BROADUS

99

ORANGE CRUSH CHOPPER

88 99

DUB MAGAZINE ISSUE 67 JUL/AUG 2010 CONTENTS

20 22

28

56 93

EDITOR’S NOTES

DUB PUBLISHING, INC. LOS ANGELES : WORLDWIDE Myles Kovacs | Publisher | myles@dubmagazine.com Haythem Haddad | Editor/Creative Director | haythem@dubmagazine.com John Ramos | Promotions Director | john@dubmagazine.com Rich Calbay | Managing Editor | rich@dubmagazine.com Cynthia Tran-Kovacs | Accounts Manager | cynthia@dubmagazine.com Pierce Flynn | VP of Business Development | pierce@dubmagazine.com DESIGN DEPARTMENT Steve Cuevas | Graphic Designer | steve@dubmagazine.com Jonathan Rodrigues | Art Director | jonrod@dubmagazine.com Adrian Guillemet | Video Editor | adrian@dubmagazine.com

Based in the same city as The Lakers, you could imagine the emotion and excitement that our home team brought us Angelenos with their Finals victory. We’re not the type to take our celebratory spirit to the streets, torching random cars, but we did, however, sit down with Ron Artest to talk about an experience not many get a chance to celebrate.

Speaking of champs, we still can’t believe we had the opportunity to meet and photograph what could be the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali. We were a part of The 2010 Celebrity Fight Night charity event, which has featured Muhammad Ali as its special guest of honor for the past 15 years. We’re always in search of creative ways to give back to communities in need and were able to offer a DUB Edition Lincoln MKT to auction off, which raised some serious cash for the event.

Shante Broadus, otherwise known as The Boss Lady or Snoop Dogg’s better half, is holding it down as the CEO of her own entertainment company and foundation, I Am S.H.A.N.T.E.. We got some time with her to talk business, life, and how she’s flossing her new Porsche Panamera and BMW X6M. Did you know Al and Ed’s of West Hollywood, CA is one of the top Lamborghini modifiers in the nation? They recently completed a full custom-install on an LP640 for Kenwood’s booth at the 2010 CES show. They also co-hosted the Ultimate Lamborghini Experience 3 with Lamborghini Beverly Hills that teaches Lambo owners how to tame the overpowered horses in their super cars—and we have all the coverage.

Don’t forget to also check out our in-depth review of Aston Martin’s Rapide and how it holds up as a sports coupe.

ADVERTISING : (626) 336-3821 Rich Calbay | rich@dubmagazine.com Myles Kovacs | myles@dubmagazine.com Adel Boutros | Advertising Associate | adel@dubmagazine.com Tony Madrigal | Advertising Associate | tony@dubmagazine.com DUB MAGAZINE & EVENTS STAFF Kristie Bertucci | Features Editor / Copy Editor | kristie@dubmagazine.com Kiani Tran-Boutros | Human Resources/Accounting Director | kiani@dubmagazine.com Jeanette Palmerin | Office Administrator | jeanette@dubmagazine.com Mike Shaughnessy | mike@dubmagazine.com Sean Dowd | sean@dubmagazine.com Walter Segovia | walter@dubmagazine.com Ryan Dobkin Manuel Oros Edwin Quiroz Eli Paul Chavez Michelle Sanchez Armando Rodriquez

Two stars in the customizing world are making moves. Eric Ramirez is no stranger to the modifying scene, having been involved in it for more than half of his life. He’s now on to bigger and better things by partnering up to open Ghost Motorsports. Widebody fabricator Topo is at it again. As one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, he’s constantly improving his craft at his new spot, TS Designs, where’s he’s currently busting out low-rods by the dozens (in addition to his widebody muscle cars).

TRANSPORTATION OPERATORS Andrew “Old Skol” Canales Mark Dyck / Daniel Serna CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jae Bueno / Michael Mancini / Michael Vincent Roman Racela / Verone Pangilinan / Greg B. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mike Daly / Nick Halili Kristopher Ku / Deanne DeLuna / Michael Mancini

All this and more await you in the pages ahead - enjoy 67!

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DUB REPORT 67

Company Information DUB MagazineÂŽ is now published 6 times per year. Subscriptions are now $20.00 for 6 issues.

DUBŽ is the Original Automotive Lifestyles Magazine™ and is published by DUB Publishing, Inc. in the City of Industry, CA. DUBŽ Magazine was established in the year 2000.

To place an ad in DUB Magazine, please contact the Ad Sales department at (626) 336-3821 The 8th annual DUB Show Tour Custom Auto Show & Concert features the nation’s best custom cars and also features an all-star line-up of performers.

For more information, visitwww.dubshowtour.com DUBŽ is also a design, marketing and promotions team, responsible for the development and marketing of many licensed automotive goods, collectibles, and apparel, as well as our sponsor’s key products.

Contact: marketing@dubmagazine.com

Get the word out and get free stuff!

For more info, email: john@dubmagazine.com Bring on the Letters!

We’re now accepting letters to DUB Magazine. Send your rants or raves to intake@dubmagazine.com.

Your letter may end up in an issue of DUB!

National & International Newsstand Distribution: Curtis Circulation Company Promotional Printing: Smart Levels: (800) 465-1746 www.smartlevels.com

Blessed and thankful.

With eight amazing DUB Shows already in the books for 2010, we can’t wait to see what the new stops in Ocean City, MD, and Denver, CO have in store. The attendees, participants, performers and sponsors allow us to give 110% into each event so that it’s the ULTIMATE show for everyone to experience.

Check out some of the scenes at our New York, Memphis and Phoenix stops that were “beyond sensational,� as told to us by many of our fans. For the first time, Yo Gotti performed at a DUB show, which those lucky enough to attend our Memphis stop were able to check out. Fans crowded the Cook Convention Center to capacity to see one of the greatest performances ever at a DUB Show!

Another first for us was dropping in on The Big Apple, where we did a show within the New York Auto Show. It was definitely a surreal experience and a dream come true for the staff. We partnered up with the hottest builders and companies to show New Yorkers true custom automotive lifestyle. Next year, we’re doubling up on space to bring an even bigger and better show for our NY stop.

With so many firsts for us this year, we are truly thankful and blessed to be able to put such amazing shows for car enthusiasts across the nation and can’t wait to be able to do it bigger and better next year...with even more stops than ever before!

* All locations are subject to change. Make sure you check with dubshowtour.com often to stay informed on the tour’s happenings. Also, friend us up onMyspace.com/dub and Facebook.com/dubmagazine.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission. This book is purchased with the understanding that the information presented is from many varied sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher, as to accuracy or completeness.

ŠCopyright 2010 DUB Publishing, Inc. ! #" ! " !% > ! # # $" “DUB� (ISSN 1536-3562) is published bi-monthly (6 times annually) by DUB Publishing, Inc., 16815 E. Johnson Drive, City of Industry, CA 91745-2417. Subscription rate is $20.00 for 6 issues. Periodical Postage is paid at City of Industry, CA and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DUB, P.O. Box 469065, Escondido, CA 92046-9095.

Event Contacts

Sponsorship & Event Planning Myles Kovacs: (626) 336-3821 myles@dubmagazine.com Car Show Planning/Media Information John Ramos: (626) 336-3821 john@dubmagazine.com Vendor Booths: (626) 336-3821 John Ramos john@dubmagazine.com Jeanette Palmerin jeanette@dubmagazine.com Eli Paul Chavez eli@dubmagazine.com All Other Inquiries info@dubmagazine: (626) 336-3821

Keep the letters coming! Hit us up via email at intake@dubmagazine.com or through snail mail at: DUB PO Box 91754 City of Industry, CA 91745-1819 Attn: INTAKE

LATIN SENSATION

THERE IS NO PLAN B

Besides hip-hop, Latin music is my next favorite type of music and I’m a huge fan of Los os Twiins’ work. They’ve produced d hits for some of Latin music’s biggest stars it’s good to see that they’re finally getting their ir dues. I’m now an avid watcher of their reality show on Mun2 and was amped to see them on the cover of the last issue.

Their special Los Twiins DUB edition Ford Fiesta looked muy bueno. Kind of makes me want to go out and buy my own just to customize it like Los Twiins’. The way the article read in both Spanish and English was cool.

The “A-Team” was my all-time favorite show as a kid. I remember ber never missing an episode back in n the ‘80s and am pumped that it’s ’s finally been made into a movie.

I made sure to see it on its first night out! Overall, it was a great movie that really captured the essence of the TV show, while still bringing some new elements s to its characters. Rampage as Sgt. B.A. Baracus was right on point! He was, like, the perfect person to take on such an iconic role! I definitely recommend this movie!

Juan Carlos R. Via e-mail

We’re with you on being huge “A-Team” fans, Felix, and werealso alsoexcited excited when we heard that it was finally going to hit the big screen. Although we haven’t seen the movie yet, we’ll take your word that it’s a “must see” summer movie and make it a DUB family excursion to check it out. We all love Rampage here and are looking forward to seeing how he takes on the role of Sgt. B.A. Baracus, so thanks for the heads-up on the great review!

Latin music is infiltrating the American music scene and it’s all for the better, Juan Carlos! Not only does it add some extra sabor, but it also helps integrate different sounds to the music we already love. Los Twiins’ “Movimiento Alterado” will be a refreshing take on music, while their reality show provides a great behind-the-scenes look at how they’re trying to accomplish such a huge musical goal. It’s also a great place to see the new Ford Fiesta in action!

THE KANDY MAN

For being only 24 years old, Christian Castellanos has it made. He owns a successful paint shop and owns a one-of-a-kind convertible Bimmer. Kind of jealous of the kid, but you can’t hate on something like that. Wish I had the ambition and drive he has to have followed my dreams to do something I loved. Props to Christian and his JC’s Custom Paint shop for all their success and sick paint jobs. I just might have to take my ride over there for an exterior makeover.

Tom M. Via email

Felix Sanchez Via Email

BRINGIN’ THE PAIN Hands down DUB gets mad props for doing it bigger and harder then every mag out here. Only one complaint, though, wish y’all would drop a mag every month, but that’s another topic. Y’all did me a huge favor by bringin’ back Mr. Auto Tunes himself and giving his “Joker” Donk a good look. And when the new wheel line drops, please make sure we see that in the mag, too. Now, as for his Mini Cooper, I think every man has to have a bucket to whip around in. The Mini is no way near a bucket, but in T-Pain’s world, it’s as close to a bucket as it gets.

DJ Oh Boy Via e-mail We’re glad you dug the T-Pain story from Issue 66, DJ Oh Boy. No one can use Auto-Tune and perfect it to his voice the way he does, which sets him apart from everybody else getting on the Auto-Tune bandwagon. To us, he’ll always be the OG one. We’re also curious to see what type of wheels he’ll come out with and will mos def keep you updated on what the low down is on his wheels. We’re with you on the whole “every man needs to have a bucket to whip around in!”

We also admire Christian Castellanos and all his success, Tom. It’s not everyday you see such an ambitious young man turn his dreams into a reality. Not only does he have great business skills, but his talent for painting cars is beyond amazing. If you want a sick paint job, The Kandy Man at JC’s Custom Paint is definitely the one to do it. His story is really inspiring, which is why we wanted to tell it!

18 DUB MAG JUL / AUG 2010

IF WE PUBLISH YOUR LETTER! ER! AGAZINE.COM WRITE TO : INTAKE@DUBMAGAZINE.COM NDER AND *PLASE SPECIFY YOUR GENDER ANDSIZE. SIZE.

STRUT LED ILLUMINATED GRILLE COLLECTIONS WWW.STRUTWEAR.COM | (949) 361-9841

Known for their luxurious collections of grilles, wheels and accessories, STRUT has now introduced its LED Illuminated grille collections for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Land Rover HSE and Sport. Both collections are triple-chromed to provide long-lasting luster and durability. They ship out completely wired with LED lights installed, which makes for easy installation into the vehicle’s lighting system. Waterproof capsules encase the energy efficient LED lights for maximum protection from the elements.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Collection is designed to work with both the car’s daytime running lights and its evening ones. The Range Rover

Collections connect to the car’s lighting system and automatically turn on when the headlights are in use. Check them out online for more info on their various collections, and their complete line of car-transforming custom grilles.

PRIOR DESIGN MERCEDES-BENZ SL FACELIFT WIDEBODY KIT WWW.PRIORDESIGNNA.COM | (866) 997-2336

Inspired by the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series, German tuning house Prior Design has come up with a kit to make a stealth, black monster out of the 5th generation SL. An aggressive front fascia was added to the SL, including a massive fender sporting a spoiler with integrated large air intakes. The car’s central feature is the widened body panels that provide the wheel arches with some extra flare and that ready-to-pounce crouched look.

The widened body is complemented by the rear finish, which includes a rear bumper connecting the two rear arches and a rear diffuser available in full carbon fiber. PD1 rims in 20x10-inch (265/30R20 tires) for the front and 20x12inch (305/25R20 tires) for the rear complete the shape-shifting tuning kit.

WICKED MOTORWORKS PORSCHE WICKED-7 STEEL MEGA WIDEBODY WWW.WICKEDMOTORWORKS.COM | (818) 426-3909

Wicked Motor Works doesn’t call their Wicked-7 Steel Mega Widebody for Porsche a body kit. Instead, they consider it an all-hand metal fabrication that’s shaped right on to the vehicle. While other companies make fiberglass body kits, they like to think of themselves as making metal works of art.

Each year Wicked Motor Works designs and builds limited units of their Porsche Steel Mega Widebody Wicked-7 for a select number of equally unique and affluent individuals. Wicked Motor Works’ body treatment includes a rear that’s 8-inches wider than that of a stock Porsche, which will definitely catch your eye, especially with its four barrel thundering exhaust and luscious curvy body draped to the floor. The front is more than 4-inches wider than stock and fabricated in defined steel. If you’re ready to go mega, give them a call.

20 DUB MAG JUL / AUG 2010

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CAR CARE

Maintain that brand-new look for your ride with these latest cleaning formulas.

3D HIGH DEFINITION CAR CARE WWW.3DPRODUCTS.COM

3D High Definition Car Care’s HD Poxy Wax is designed to seal and protect all hard exterior surfaces, including paint, glass, plastic, wheels and polished metal giving your car the ultimate wet-look shine and will leave only a mirror-like finish that’s free of any residue.

Their HD Uno is a hot commodity in the automotive industry, designed to remove fine scratches, swirl marks, and oxidation with ease, restoring full gloss and a perfectly clear paint finish every time. It can even be used as a headlight and tail light polish, which removes fine scratches, oxidation and yellowing.

HD FREE Waterless Car Wash Lotion is the best solution to stop the water waste, reduce pollution and conserve energy. The HD FREE car wash process is eco-friendly and it’s faster, easier and more convenient than traditional car wash methods. It’s VOC compliant, 100% biodegradable, and the only waterless vehicle cleaning system that has been tested and verified by the Bureau Veritas international standards and testing organization.

AUTOGLYM WWW.AUTOGLYM.COM

Established in 1965, Autoglym has developed a prestigious reputation for making high quality automotive care products. Its High Definition Wax is a long-lasting, high-protection wax that produces unparalleled luster and shine that will make any car sparkle for days at a time.

Rapid Detailer is Autoglym’s easy-to-use spray-on solution that removes light soiling, restores showroom shine and adds a layer of protection to vehicle bodywork, plastics and glass. It can quickly give added depth of gloss to a justcleaned car, or be used between washes to bring a car back to tiptop clean condition.

Its Custom Wheel Cleaner is a fast, safe and effective wheel cleaning solution that will restore dirty wheels back to their original showroom shine. It features a special blend of surfactants, solvents and alkalis that work together to loosen corrosion, dissolve baked-on dust and can eat through any road grime your wheels encounter.

CROFTGATEUSA WWW.CROFTGATEUSA.COM

CroftgateUSA’s Multi-Clean removes heavier than normal dirt and films that conventional cleaners can’t touch, such as pollutants like road debris, bugs, tar, bird droppings and much more. Use it on both the outside of your vehicle’s surface, as well as its interior.

Its AQUANIL-X Waterless Wash and Wax first breaks down and then suspends dirt and grime, all without the use of water! AQUANIL-X then replaces it with a protective layer of macro polymers and waxes, leaving your vehicle cleaner and with a longer lasting shine.

Tire Shine is formulated with the highest quality ingredients by a team of scientists dedicated to producing quality products with the lowest environmental impact and does not contain any petroleum solvents. It has a sophisticated blend of emollients and gloss agents to leave your tires with a long lasting, satin smooth finish.

POLYMATRIX PCS WWW.PROTECTIVECOATINGSYSTEMS.COM

Ultra Clean from Polymatrix is designed to quickly clean and shine the surfaces of paint, aluminum, chrome, fiberglass, stainless steel and glass. It’s formulated to remove dust and light debris from your car’s surface(s), while creating a light protective coating. Just spray it on any surface and wipe it off! Once you do, you’ll instantly notice the “bling” effect, especially on chrome wheels, grilles and paint.

HOW TO REMOVE CAR EMBLEMS

1. Wash the area around the emblem with warm soapy water to prevent scratches later.

2. Apply heat with a hair dryer until the emblem is fairly warm to the touch to loosen the glue.

3. Spray a bug and tar remover liberally onto and around the emblem, while still keeping it warm.

4. Use a plastic spatula to slowly break loose the glue bonding your emblem to the car.

5. Remove the emblem from the car entirely as slowly as possible.

22 DUB MAG JUL / AUG 2010

6. Remove any left over glue with a goo removal product and a little elbow grease (non-petroleum-based).

ASANTI FORGED

PHONE: 800.833.9700 SITE: WWW.ASANTIWHEELS.COM NAME: AF-1 MONOBLOCK SLATE SIZES: 20”, 22” FINISHES: CUSTOM COLOR AND CUSTOM FINISH

ISS FORGED

PHONE: 305.470.1985 SITE: WWW.ISSFORGED.COM NAME: 0-1 SIZES: 19”, 20”, 22” FINISHES: TITANIUM PEARL, SILVER, BLACK, GUNMETAL, HAND BRUSHED ALUMINUM. ALL COLORS COME IN HIGH GLOSS OR A STAIN FINISH

MONOLEGGERA BY FORGIATO PHONE: 818.771.9779 SITE: WWW.MONOLEGGERA.COM

NAME: SPACCO SIZES: 19”, 20”, 21”, 22” FINISHES: CUSTOM COLOR AND CUSTOM FINISH

MONO DI FORZA

PHONE: 866.779.4646 SITE: WWW.SAVINIFORGED.COM NAME: SM-2 SIZES: 18”, 19”, 20” FINISHES: CUSTOM COLOR AND CUSTOM FINISH

RENNEN MODULAR

PHONE: 718.978.6722 | 909.595.1341 SITE: WWW.DONZWHEELZ.COM NAME: MONOLICHT SERIES M9 SIZES: 19”, 20”, 22” FINISHES: CUSTOM COLOR AND CUSTOM FINISH

DUB MAG JUL / AUG 2010 16 DUB 24

K&N #69-4519TP† for 2010 Chevy Camaro SS 6.2L featuring aluminum intake tube

HIGH-FLOW INTAKE SYSTEMS -

Huge Power Gains and Better Engine Sound Easy to Install with No Cutting or Drilling Washable and Reusable Won’t Void Factory Warranty Over 500 Systems Available

High-Flow Air Filters™ and Wrench-Off Oil Filters™ also available

+18

MORE HORSEPOWER ON A STOCK 2010 CHEVY CAMARO SS 6.2L # 63-3074 †

† Street legal in most states. Not legal for use in California

or other states adopting California emissions standards.

POPULAR INTAKE SYSTEMS Chevy Camaro Chevy Corvette Chevy Silverado 1500 Dodge Ram 1500 Dodge Ram 1500 Ford F-150 Ford F-150 Ford Mustang Ford Mustang GT Ford Mustang GT Honda Accord Honda Accord Jeep Grand Cherokee Nissan 370Z Nissan Altima Nissan Altima Toyota Camry

2010 2008-10 1999-04 2009-10 2003-07 2004-07 1997-03 2010 2007-09 2005-06 2008-10 2003-06 1999-04 2009-10 2007-10 2004-06 2007-09

3.6L 6.2L 5.3L 5.7L 5.7L 5.4L 5.4L 4.0L 4.6L 4.6L 3.5L 3.0L 4.0L 3.7L 3.5L 2.5L 2.4L

63-3075 63-3073 57-3021-1 63-1561 57-1533 57-2556 57-2541 63-2577 63-2565 57-2565 69-1210TS 69-1207TP 57-1526 69-7078TS 69-7062TTK 69-7060TS 69-8610TTK

+14 hp +17 hp +9 hp +15 hp +10 hp +15 hp +13 hp +7 hp +15 hp +15 hp +10 hp +10 hp +7 hp +14 hp +9 hp +7 hp +14 hp

Part number and vehicle specific horsepower data shown, results will vary for other part numbers and/or other vehicles.

LOOK UP THE EXTRA HORSEPOWER FOR YOUR CAR AT kNFILTERS.COM/DUB 1.800.437.1304 ext. 2053 ©2010 K&N Engineering, Inc.

4,400 CHEVROLET VOLT OWNERS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE HOME CHARGING STATIONS Chevrolet has announced that 4,400 owners of the Volt electric vehicle will be eligible for a free, 240-volt, charging station, as well as home installation in some cases. The grants are funded and administered by the Department of Energy and are worth as much as $2,000 per household. The Department of Energy plans to install 15,000 home charging stations across the U.S., with two objectives: to encourage consumers to buy early electric vehicles; and for research to inform the future of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Chevrolet is the only manufacturer working with both DOE partners: The EV Project from ECOtality and ChargePoint America project from Coulomb Technologies.

for most of its owners, Mark Langenbrinck, managing director for smart U.S., mentions that it’s the “perfect vehicle to help consumers make the move from gas to electric.”

The smart drive app for the iPhone features phone calls via a handsfree system, your own extensive music collection, Internet radio and a clever navigation system with a special smart touch. There are also smart extras – for example the Car Finder that will guide you back to wherever you parked your car.

Those who are interested in getting the new smart fortwo electric drive can use the app to show the current charging status of the smart fortwo electric drive’s battery, the distance that can be covered, nearby charging stations and the distance to them. If the smart fortwo electric drive is plugged into a socket, the app shows how long it will take to fully charge the battery again and the time at which this will be completed.

The smart drive app for the iPhone can be downloaded from the App Store at $9.99, while the navigation upgrade with up-to-date maps costs $49.99 per year and is now available.

SMART ELECTRIC DRIVE COMING TO THE STATES The smart with electric drive will be coming to the States later this fall after a successful launch in Europe. The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is equipped with an innovative and highly efficient lithium ion battery.

It is neatly accommodated between the axles, which means that space is not compromised in any way in the intelligent two-seater vehicle. A 30 kW electric motor is fitted at the rear. The fortwo EV has a range of about 83 miles on a full charge, although smart executives say they have found it can go even longer. Because the smart car is often already a second, third or even fourth car

26 18 DUB MAG JUL / AUG 2010

2-DIN IN-DASH NAVIGATION UNITS No car is complete without a GPS system, so here are a few top-of-the-line 2-DIN in-dash options, so that you know exactly where to go and how to get there!

ALPINE INA-W900BT AUDIO/VIDEO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM WWW.ALPINE-USA.COM

The Alpine INA-W900BT Audio/Video/Navigation System with Bluetooth provides a full in–car entertainment atmosphere with its plethora of features. Its 7-inch WVGA touchscreen with 1.15-million pixel technology, results in greater clarity and enhanced image quality, while its audio features include AM/FM/CD, plus connectivity to iPod or iPhone music, HD Radio or satellite radio (separate adapters and subscriptions required).

The DVD player provides video entertainment, including playback of DVD / DVD Video / DVD-R / DVD-RW / DVD+R / DVD+RW. The built-in navigation system includes pre-loaded maps of the U.S. and Canada, with more than 6-million Points of Interests, and features voice-guided turn-by-turn driving instructions that direct users to their destination. Advanced text-to-speech (TTS) technology announces the actual names of streets and freeway exits.

The unit also has the unique GuideView Window, which displays the next navigation maneuver within the audio screen, picture-in-picture style. This allows drivers to have a visual prompt of their next maneuver regardless of the function they are using. MSRP IS $1,250.

PIONEER AVIC-Z120BT 2-DIN IN-DASH NAVIGATION WWW.PIONEERELECTRONICS.COM

Pioneer’s top-of-the-line unit brings together the best route guidance features with more entertainment and convenience attributes that include: PandoraLink for Pioneer App, MusicSphere proprietary music analysis software, a revolutionary 3D user interface and ECO Graph for eco-friendly drivers. Other features include: a motorized high-resolution 7-inch WVGA touchscreen display, 3D graphics accelerator, onscreen iPod/iPhone control, built-in Bluetooth, USB connectivity, SD card slot located behind the motorized front panel, high quality CD/DVD audio/video playback, backup camera input and is SIRIUS XM satellite and HD Radio ready. Unique to the 2010 Pioneer navigation line, the AVIC-Z120BT features dual zone entertainment, which enables rear passengers to enjoy DVD video and audio on a separate rear display and headphones, while front passengers listen to AM/FM or XM or SIRIUS satellite radio sources. The AVIC-Z120BT can be fully integrated into a large number of vehicles with a 2-DIN dash opening, and can match any vehicle’s dash lighting with more than 30,000 customizable illumination colors it comes with. MSRP IS $1,599.

CLARION NX500 2-DIN IN-DASH NAVIGATION WWW.CLARION.COM

As a premium audio video navigation unit with built-in GPS navigation, Bluetooth, USB iPod and iPhone compatibility, Clarion’s NX500 2-DIN InDash Navigation source unit is packed with lots of multimedia features that will enhance your driving experience. With a built-in GPS, the flash memory allows for quick response and access to navigation maps and multimedia options. It’s pre-loaded with 12-million Points of Interests, including national parks, restaurants, gas stations and much more. iPod video playback is also available using an optional cable (CCA748). The NX500 is Sirius Satellite Radio Direct Connect Ready and is also HD Radio Ready (with optional THD400 module), which includes the iTunes tagging feature. Its 6.5-inch blue illuminated LCD sub display allows maximum visibility in a space-saving package. MSRP IS $999.99.

JUL // AUG AUG 2010 2010 DUB MAG MAG JUL 20 DUB 28

A601

M101

16 17 18 20

16 17 18 20

A602

M102

18 20 22

16 17 18 20

A603

M103

18 20 22 24 26

18 20 22 24 26

A604

M104

17 18 20 22

17 18 20 22

A605

M105

18 20 22 24

18 20 22 24 Available at these retail locations Les Schwab Tire Center – Northwest | Belle Tire – MI, OH | Town Fair Tire – Northeast America’s Tire – CA | Rent A Wheel – TX, FL | Discount Tire – South www.MKWalloy.com | 866.MKW.WHEEL (659-9433)

kenwood electronics + al & ed’s autosound

lamborghini lp640 PHOTOS: RCH DESIGNS | WWW.RCHDESIGNS.COM

K

enwood Electronics enlisted the help of Al & Ed’s Autosound in West Hollywood, CA to custom build a show car for their booth at the 2010 CES Show in Sin City. Not wanting to provide just any old car for Kenwood’s booth, Elie Rothstein of Al & Ed’s Autosound called his friends over at Lamborghini Beverly Hills and asked them if they’d kindly provide a car that would more than show off Kenwood’s latest audio products at the biggest electronics show of the year.

What resulted was this amazing 2009 AE Edition Monterey Blue LP640 Roadster with a custom interior (which Rothstein says might possibly be the ONLY one in existence with such specs) and an incredible system that’ll blow you away or at least cause you to go deaf for a while.

“Al & Ed’s Autosound in West Hollywood has without a doubt customized more Lamborghinis than anyone in the country, and this particular LP640 features our best work in regards to audio and fabrication,” Rothstein comments.

“I personally am very passionate about the Lamborghini brand and its owners, and we have been recognized by the Lamborghini community as the only shop to have your car customized.”

Even though Kenwood provides the touchscreen radio and navigation system for all Lamborghini Murciélagos, Rothstein made sure to install the top-of-the-line JUL / AUG 2010

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DNX-9140 unit. This interfaced perfectly with the factory-installed back up camera. The factory speakers were replaced with Kenwood Excelon 6.5-inch KFC-X1720P and tweeter components in each door. Instead of using the provided speaker grilles, they custom made new grilles using blue carbon fiber and plexiglass.

Behind the passenger seat, they installed a custom-built carbon fiber subwoofer enclosure for the 10-inch Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1000F carbon fiber shallow sub using blue carbon fiber.

To customize the fascia of the enclosure, matching grey Alcantara suede was used to keep the look of the traditional Lamborghini Q-Citura diamond quilt.

Inspired by the existing black and blue colored-theme of the car, Rothstein used blue carbon fiber, grey Alcantara and gloss black elements to show off the Kenwood Excelon amplifiers, totaling more than 2,700-Watts of power, under the hood of the super car. Blue LED lights were installed and are activated by a hidden switch to illuminate the display.

While most of the work was done to the LP640’s interior, some 19-inch GFG forged 3-piece Narkid wheels by Giovanna were custom painted with a gloss-black outer lip, matte-black center and Monterey Blue highlights. Pirelli PZero Rosso 245/30R19 front and 355/25R19 rear tires were used to insure a safe and proper wheel and tire fitment.

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AL & ED’S AUTOSOUND WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.AE54.COM

LAMBORGHINI BEVERLY HILLS WWW.LAMBORGHINIGBEVERLYHILLS.COM

KENWOOD WWW.KENWOODUSA.COM

GIOVANNA WHEELS WWW.WTWCORP.COM

that’s not all that makes me as a person or a rapper. I have other aspects of myself and my life that I talk about in my music, too.

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/FREDDIEGIBBS

freddie gibbs the return of gangsta rap

F

reddie Gibbs isn’t about bullsh*t music and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. The highly talented MC out of Gary, Indiana who now resides in So. Cal, is all about his music, keeping true to his gangsta rap influences and elements. Growing his fan base from his intense mixtapes that are reminiscent of gangsta rap’s glory days from back in the ‘90s, Gibbs is coming up in the music scene, but isn’t about to take the easy road.

He’s determined to bring back quality rap music on his own terms and is completely satisfied with not going mainstream. With the release of his latest EP Str8 Killa, as well as his free mixtape, Str8 Killa, No Filla, Gibbs is bringing back the true sh*t. In one word, Freddie Gibbs is REAL. How did your musical interests begin?

Really, I’ve always been interested in rap music. Always listened to it, but didn’t start making it until my early-20s. Saw a lot of problems in my neighborhood, and the guys in my hood started to put their money into studios, and I was just around them in the streets anyways. When they started doing that I just started going into the studio with them and started to make tracks. I started to really take it serious in 2004, when I realized peopled started to like my stuff.

You’re MC skills have been compared to greats like Tupac and Biggie, how does that make you feel?

It feels good to even be spoken about in the same sentence as those dudes because I know that I’m not on their level yet. I feel that I can definitely get there if I keep working hard and keep focusing on my career, I can get to their level. That’s real refreshing to me that people speak of me in that light. Other than them Scarface is probably my favorite rapper; it’s between him and Pac. I’d definitely call my music gangsta rap because there’s definitely that street element to my music. I’m speaking of things that’s happened to my life and a lot of that happens to be on the streets. Yet, at the same time,

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What do you think other MCs in the scene are missing nowadays, and what makes you different from all the others in the game right now?

I think there are a lot of rappers in the game that are missing integrity.

They’re hung up on a lot of “monkey see, monkey do” stuff, and the music industry right now, if somebody sees one thing work they try it themselves.

It’s like making the game so watered-down. I try to do things that the normal person wouldn’t do. I’m not trippin’ on trying to make a radio single and make it to the radio right away.

Everything that’s happening to me is happening naturally. I’m just putting the music out there and doing me and people are taking heed to it and are drawn to it probably because it’s something they’ve never heard for a while. There’s no integrity in the music anymore. Even in the biggest artist. I just saw DJ Khaled rapping. I mean dude ain’t no rapper at all, and it’s just garbage when you see sh*t like that. Man, to me, sh*t like that makes a mockery of the game to the dudes that take MCing seriously. It might take me an hour to write a rap or it might take me five hours to do it because I want it to be perfect and suit me the best. It ain’t all about writing it the quickest. When I see dudes like DJ Khaled, that sh*t just puts a sour taste in my mouth about the game and it makes me not even want to f*ck with rappers period.

Man, in ’95, this dude wouldn’t be rapping. MCs at that time would have been like, “What the f*ck is this sh*t?” and would never have got on a song with that dude. He has busters on that track. I know it’s a recession and people need money, but there’s certain sh*t I will never do. Everything that I do is funded by me out of my pocket, so if I gotta keep it that way, I gotta keep it that way ’cause I’m not gonna break my integrity or balls for nobody in the game.

That’s why I just stay to myself and I’m not real big on collabs. Too many of these dudes are check chasers, and I don’t want to be seen as that. There is no integrity in the game no more, and I’m just trying to bring it back.

What cans fans expect from Str8 Killa, No Filla, the EP and mixtape?

Gonna be a lot of hard-hittin’ music on it, true testaments. Me showing all my strengths and my weaknesses, I am human like everybody else. There ain’t no superman gangster sh*t, just straight real gangster sh*t. It’s just about being 100 percent and a lot of MCs in the game ain’t that no more.

Just a reflection of me at the time I made the music, and it’s definitely not a CD full of garbage. I’m just trying to bring back that integrity to the rap and let people know that it’s not all about bullsh*t in the music. Gonna give people the mixtape for free. If they want to buy the EP they can do it ’cause it will have extra tracks on it, like, two or three songs. A lot of my fans have been supporting my music, and I’m building a fan base that I think that I can have for the next 20 years. I’m not concerned with being the number one dude on Top 40 radio and I could care less. I just want to maintain the respect in the game and think I’m doing it with this.

How many mixtapes have you dropped?

It’s probably my sixth or seventh mixtape; been doing them for a while.

All my projects are approached like albums, so the last three are the ones that really got me out there again ’cause for a minute I was done with this rap sh*t. I signed with Interscope and saw how fake this industry was and didn’t want to do that cookie cutter bullsh*t and got dropped and fell out of music for like a year.

My friend really convinced me to get back into it. I was really going through a tumultuous time in my life on the streets, just had a gun charge, and was not feeling the rap game. I just had to leave it up to God and just pray on it, and he put me where I was supposed to be; obviously I’m supposed to be doing this ’cause he put me here right now. If someone won’t bring back the true sh*t then who will? It’s tough being a rapper. It’s literally zero money right now with no records selling and it’s hard to get shows, but I feel like God got me here and I’ll be fine.

What do you hope to achieve with your hip-hop career?

Just be able to have a lifelong career. I want to be able to tour for the next 20 years and put out good music, that’s my main concern. I never want to put out c, that s my no bullsh*t, and I never will.IfIf20 20years yearslater, later,peop people are still speaking highly of me then I accomplished what what II set set out out todo. do.It’s It’snot t to nnot ot abou aabout the money.

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PHOTOS: DOUGLAS DICKERSON FROM DOGADI IMAGERY

Chor Boogie spray paint artist

C

hor Boogie (born Jason Lamar Hailey) is taking spray painting to new heights in the art world, a medium that’s often frowned upon for its negative “street” connotations.

Creating his masterpieces entirely from spray paints, the artist is out to prove that spray painting isn’t just meant for graffiti on walls, but can be a powerful medium used to express oneself through art. Based out of San Francisco by way of San Diego, Chor Boogie is one of the premier American spray paint artists and muralists of our age. He’s been commissioned to create pieces from top-tier artists to local governments and even did something for the 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing, China. Claiming influences from art’s greatest minds like Gustav Klimt, Dali, Michelangelo and Da Vinci, as well as more contemporary spray paint artists like P.H.A.S.E.2., Vulcan and Coma, Chor Boogie is a unique artist who is gaining momentum in the art scene for his vivid and colorful pieces of imaginative art.

How did you get your name?

It is my artist name. I’ve had that name for the past two decades. Started out with just “Chore,” pertaining to the while doing your chores, which is pretty much doing my art form and a friend pretty much gave it to me. I took the “e” off and ran with Chor since it symbolized art more in my eyes. Maybe 15 years later, I added the Boogie. In the art world, you need a first name and a last name. Usually artists that deal with the spray paint medium, they start off with their street names and for some reason, they usually revert back to their family-given name and drop their whole street identity, well in my eyes.

I didn’t want to do that. I birthed this name, put work into it and just added Boogie ‘cause I get boogie with it when I paint. I listen to my music and get

DUB MAG MAG JUL JUL // AUG AUG 2010 2010 14 DUB 42

my dance on when I work, so it’s more like a melodic symphony.

How did you first get interested in art?

Actually, my first vision of being an artist was when I was five in kindergarten. Studying art on my own, I was introduced to spray paint mediums when I was 10. I was mainly inspired by what I saw on the streets, books and magazine. When I was 13, I took the leap into spray paint culture and it just went from there. There are a lot of politics behind the spray can because of its relation to graffiti, but as it’s gaining more acceptance in the fine art world due to the the meaning behind the work and the level of the work. I create beautiful pictures with my art with a spray can, and I have a significant meaning behind them, so it dissolves the negative attitudes toward spray cans.

How would you define your art?

It’s an abstract expressionism of a street romantic voodoo with emotional landscapes of a melodic symphony through color therapy. So 50% mind + 50% heart = 100% body + 100% soul = 200% spirit then add an infinite universe you have a Chor Boogie creation.

Personally, I like coming straight from my heart, mind, body and soul. When it comes to say like what I paint, it definitely has a spiritual connotation to it, but I usually take a reference and manipulate it and turn it into more of an original concept.

Can you tell me who some of your celebrity clients are, and what they commissioned you to do? How did they go about finding out about your art?

In actuality, the whole Jay-Z thing happened when I moved out to San Francisco; an event-based company commissioned me to do that. I wanted to do it since he’s another inspiration for me. I’ve been told that it’s hanging in his Roc-A-Fella offices. The Hugh Hefner thing came about since I was doing an interview for one of Playboy’s shows and one of the producers loved my work and wanted to buy a piece. We cut a deal where if I did one of Hugh, I’d bring the price down of the piece she was interested in. To my understanding, it’s hanging in the mansion. NAS has a piece, and so does Lady Sovereign. Let’s see, I also did pieces for the guys in Rage Against The Machine. All those were given to the artists since I was in the early stages of my career and wanted to get notoriety from them.

What would you like to achieve with your art?

I see my work as spreading a positive perspective about this medium and would like to see spray paint accepted more in the fine art world. I also envision my work being timeless and going down in art history. There is no doubt about it, not just because of my belief system, but because of the people who have supported my work over the years.

VODOO TIKI TEQUILA WWW.VOODOOTIKI.COM

ANEJO Voodoo Tiki Anejo Tequila is aged for more than one year and is their fine Super-Premium “Cognac” quality sipping tequila, or can be used in the ultimate mixed elixirs. Anejo Tequila is made with the finest, oversized ripe, sweetest blue agaves. According to the Voodoo Tiki legend, the year is in honor of Don Pedro, the mythical creator of the tequila. Legend has it that Voodoo Tiki Tequila is aged in barrels carved from Don Pedro’s magical tiki idols. With hints of a cognac brandy taste, expect a soft brandy finish when enjoying Voodoo Tiki Anejo Tequila.

DESERT ROSE It’s tequila infused with the delicious flavor of the exotic prickly pear, making it a great sipping tequila on its own or used to create various types of mixed drinks.

TY KU ASIAN WINE & SPIRITS WWW.TRYTYKU.COM

TY KU Soju As a premium clear spirit, comparable to vodka, TY KU Soju improves the drinking experience with 40 percent fewer calories (only 68 calories per serving and 0 carbs) and provides superior and sophisticated cocktails for the health-conscious.

Created with 100 percent premium barley that is handpicked in Oita, Japan, which contributes to its exquisitely smooth taste. Its flavor profile is light and balanced with hints of citrus, which is achieved through TY KU’s exclusive use of white koji, which is known for its ability to bring out lighter floral notes. TY KU’s Sojo is meant to be enjoyed chilled neat, on the rocks or combined with an endless array of fresh fruits, mixers or other spirits to create premium, low calorie, great-tasting cocktails.

TY KU Sake TY KU Sake isn’t your traditional Japanese sake, but blends the best of ancient Japanese brewing techniques with a modern twist to create a refreshing, modern sake. It’s a “Super Premium Junmai Ginjo,” which is one of the purest beverages on the planet, made from only four all-natural ingredients: pristine, iron-free water, specialty sake rice milled more than 40 percent, proprietary yeast and handmade koji. Specially brewed with no additives or preservatives, the end result is a refined, smooth flavor profile with a soft fruity aroma and clean finish. TY KU Sake is an extremely versatile drink best enjoyed chilled or as the base in premium cocktails.

DUB MAG MAG JUL JUL // AUG AUG 2010 2010 16 DUB 44

TEQUILA DON CARDONA WWW.TEQUILADONCARDONA.COM

DON CARDONA SILVER Silver is fermented and double distilled to create a smooth taste, as well as made from the highest quality 100-percent agave. With a light fresh crystal look and has an elegant smoothness which makes it unique and refreshing.

DON CARDONA REPOSADO Reposado is produced with the highest quality 10-percent agave and has a rich, light-brown color. Its more complex flavor is due to an eleven month aging period in the finest Jack Daniels whiskey barrels.

PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-TS2 WWW.PANASONIC.COM | $399.95

This is Panasonic’s newest “tough” digital point-and-shoot camera.

Featuring high definition video recording capability, in the AVCHD Lite format, the new 14.1-megapixel LUMIX TS2 is waterproof to 33 feet (10m), shockproof to approximately 6.6 feet (2m), freezeproof to 14° F (-10° C) and dustproof. It also includes features, such as Face Recognition, which allows users to register up to three different images for a person, helping to improve detection accuracy; and Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects 1 of 6 scene modes.

CANON POWERSHOT SD4000 IS DIGITAL ELPH WWW.USA.CANON.COM | $349.99

This new powerhouse point-and-shoot camera is the first of the Digital ELPH series to offer a high-sensitivity system, known as Canon’s HS SYSTEM, with a CMOS sensor and bright f/2.0 lens. Offering the most enhanced image quality available in an ELPH series camera, these features help capture memorable moments in low-light conditions. The SD4000 IS Digital ELPH camera also has high definition (HD) movie-shooting capabilities, providing an additional option for cataloging memorable events. Primarily, the new10-megapixel PowerShot SD4000 IS is great for any user with an attention for up-to-date functionality and style.

SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-TX9 WWW.SONYSTYLE.COM | $400.00

As the world’s smallest 3D camera, Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 captures 3D images with a single lens system. The 3D Sweep Panorama feature lets you take panoramic pictures in one press-and-sweep motion. The high-speed burst of frames is stitched together using innovative processing techniques to automatically create detail-packed 3D panoramas. These images can be enjoyed in 2D or stunning 3D on compatible 3D TVs (3D-compatible HDMI cables and 3D glasses are also required and are sold separately). The DSCTX9, features a 3.5-inch 921k resolution LCD touchscreen, and also has a Sweep Multi Angle that lets you view images moving in simulated 3D right on the cameras’ LCD screen by tilting the camera back and forth.

Other technologies incorporated into the DSC-TX9 include: E (93 ',0:: $(906 ",::( ? A664 3,5: ;/, *647(*; "% *(4,9( 3,;: @6< focus as little as 0.4 inches from your subject for extraordinary close-up shots. The 4x (25-100mm) wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing a wider view of your subject at closer distances.

E $ -694(; <:,+ 05 !65@B: /0./ +,Dnition Handycam camcorders, the models can record movies in 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolutions in 60i at up to 17Mbps for smooth movement during playback. They can also capture videos in the MP4 format (up to 1440 x1080 30p 12Mbps) for online sharing.

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DUB MAG MAG JUL JUL // AUG AUG 2010 2010 22 DUB 50

CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION DEVELOPER: TREYARCH PLATFORM: XBOX 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PC, WII | WWW.CALLOFDUTY.COM

The Call of Duty franchise is adding a new title to its list by the end of the year, Call of Duty: Black Ops. Like all Call of Duty editions, it’s an action, first-person shooter game where players witness the birth of the Elite Special Forces and take part in off-the-record missions centered around the Cold War era. As part of the Elite Special Forces, playable characters will have more significant roles on the battlefield than their previous counterparts, who were often merely common soldiers. As the sequel toCall of Duty: World at War, expect Reznov to return as a main character. The game will see new equipment for players, such as a scoped crossbow with different kinds of ammunition. During the campaign, players will have the chance to pilot aircraft like an SR-71 Blackbird and an attack helicopter. There will also be a distinct four-player, online co-op mode.

TEST DRIVE UNLIMITED 2 PUBLISHER: EDEN GAMES DEVELOPER: ATARI PLATFORM: XBOX 360, PLAYSTATION 3, MICROSOFT WINDOWS | WWW.TESTDRIVEUNLIMITED2.COM

As the sequel to 2006’s Test Drive Unlimited, players can expect all-new race types, vehicle classes, environmental changes, locations and much more. Transforming the driving game genre, Test Drive Unlimited 2 blends single and multiplayer experiences seamlessly, creating a dynamic world of evolving content and race-inspired challenges. Set in both Ibiza and Oahu, players have to earn experience points to progress through the game, which can be earned by doing various challenges, such as racing friends, doing driving stunts and drifting through turns. Exploring the island lets the player find vehicle wrecks that will unlock exclusive vehicles at the dealerships on the island (which automatically confirms the return of manufacturer showrooms like in the previous game). Players define their online persona through unparalleled customization of their avatars and vehicles, and the acquisition of property, clothing and other accoutrements of a luxurious international lifestyle. TDU2 is “always live” with automatic content updates and seamless online/offline integration. New content, challenges

and ffeatures will integrate dynamically into the gameplay as its fictional world evolves over time.

TOM CLANCY’S GHOST RECON: FUTURE SOLDIER PUBLISHER: UBISOFT DEVELOPER: UBISOFT PARIS PLATFORM: XBOX 360, PLAYSTATION 3 | GHOSTRECON.US.UBI.COM

The Ghost Recon franchise will be getting a new installment soon withGhost Recon: Future Soldier, which promises to go beyond what’s usually expected of the military, third-person shooter series, allowing for new gameplay for both die-hard fans and newcomers to the game. As the fifth installment of Ghost Recon, this edition is a bit more punchier and faster paced, with its tactics now played out in milliseconds rather than minutes and its combat pushed firmly into the player’s face. The storyline will take place in Russia and Norway against a fictional ultra-nationalist force, providing players to experience much of Northern Europe within the game.Ghost Recon: Future Soldier will feature cutting-edge technology, prototype high-tech weaponry and state-of-the-art single-player and multiplayer modes.

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PUBLISHER: MICROSOFT GAME STUDIOS DEVELOPER: RUFFIAN GAMES PLATFORM: XBOX 360, XBOX LIVE-ENABLED WWW.XBOX.COM/CRACKDOWN2

The Action Continues

S

omething we love more than cars at DUB (or, really, about the same) is video games. Not only are they a great way to escape from real life, but the ways video games are made nowadays make them play out like a movie you can control, which is something we couldn’t get enough of in Crackdown! We loved the fact that we could hop in a vehicle and run over enemies or take part in races to unlock new rides, while trying to grab enough Agility orbs from rooftops to run faster and leap higher. Let’s just say it was quite addicting.

You can imagine how excited we were to find out that our mission for the Agency continues, with the release of Crackdown 2. As the sequel to the award-winning Crackdown released in 2007 (it won two TeamXbox Game of the Year awards: Best Action Game of the Year and Sleeper Hit of the Year), expect everything from the first game amplified times 10 in Crackdown 2, along with some added new features that’ll intensify your gaming experience and have you glued to your Xbox for a day or two.

As an Xbox 360 exclusive, Crackdown 2 features over-the-top action, out-of this-world graphics and an unmatched massive living world that allows you to do practically whatever you want. “It’s the most complete action experience on Xbox 360,” says Gareth Noyce, Ruffian Games’ Development Director for Crackdown 2.

For those who are unfamiliar with Crackdown, the game is an open world, third-person shooter game that features a two-player cooperative play mode via Xbox Live. Set in Pacific City, you control a cyberneticallyenhanced Agent that’s supposed to wipe out three crime lords and their DUB MAG MAG JUL JUL // AUG AUG 2010 2010 28 DUB 56

organized crime schemes. Your enemies are the Freaks and the Cells, with both trying to hinder your efforts to save Pacific City. Since the gameplay is nonlinear (meaning it doesn’t follow a premeditated track of sequences to finish the game), you’re free to roam the city, selecting your own path and approach to completing missions and activities.

JUL / AUG 2010

DUB MAG 29 57

“What everybody loves about Crackdown is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously as a game,” says Dean Smith, Ruffian’s Senior Mission Designer for the latest release. “It’s really about messing around in the environment, blowing sh*t up and making a mess of the environment in there.”

“It’s also extremely unique as well,” Noyce chimes in. “I can’t think of another game that claims to be completely open and sandbox. Crackdown is the only one that’s genuine. From the beginning of the game, you can go wherever you want, while most other games like it have extensive story scenes before getting you into the action. With Crackdown, you just get in there and have fun.”

And fun you will have, as the sequel promises to elevate the open-world genre to new heights since now you and friends can sweep Pacific City streets of crime and lawlessness with the complete freedom to explore, destroy and restore justice—by whichever ways your gaming heart desires. Not wanting to dilute the Crackdown experience for fans, but still wanting to provide the same action-packed intensity, developers got to expand on aspects that couldn’t fit into the original game in the second installment.

So what’s new for Crackdown 2 besides killing enemies and hunting down special collectibles to become a super Agent and skill-up after obtaining experience orbs? The biggest improvement is that game introduces neverbefore-seen multiplayer features with a four-player co-op mode, 16-player multiplayer experiences and an all-new party system, making it easy to bring justice to Pacific City with friends from all over the world.

“Invite your friends since the more people you got in the game, the easier it is to beat the levels,” Smith advises. “There is a bit of difficulty in the levels we’ve added to the game, so some of the really insane hard ones are built specifically for four players to fight it out. They’re tough as nails. Even we’ve struggled to master it internally so fans will find it quite challenging doing it online.”

Expect special online-only orbs that can be hunted in groups, while other rewards have been amplified, too. Agility Orbs are carried over from the first game for you to pick up from rooftops, ledges and holes throughout the city, but a new addition of Renegade Orbs are now provided, which look and act similar to Agility ones, but they now run away from you if you get too close, so happy chasing!

Other new additions include more dangerous enemies with fewer safe zones. Something interesting and new is the day/night cycle that changes within Pacific City. Daytime sees a variety of enemies to destroy, but when night falls, the Freaks come out—literally, and hundreds of them, so beware.

It turns out that the buildings that you destroyed in Crackdown become responsible for a large number of citizens being turned into Freaks.

Players can also get very creative with their strategies and tactics with new weapons and agent skills that allow them the ability to scale buildings, orchestrate massive explosions and engage in bone-crushing combat DUB MAG MAG JUL JUL // AUG AUG 2010 2010 30 DUB 58

with obliterating force. Once you get further into Crackdown 2, you’ll find everything from tanks to helicopters, with some rides built for multiple passengers for when you bring your friends along for the ride.

Pacific City has also been enhanced with the sprawling metropolis now divided and expanded in every direction with new environments to destroy and conquer. Crackdown 2 starts off in a destroyed version of the same city as the first game, so for

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The highly anticipated release of Crackdown wn 2 is right around the corner, and they’ve teamed med up with DUB for a massive giveaway! One lucky winner will have a chance to drive off in their eir very 0 DUB own “Crackdown Cruiser,” aka the new 2010 Edition Ford Mustang V6, featuring some added hotness not found in the production model. el. ustom New additions include: Crackdown 2 custom dio and video setup that graphics, interior trim, and an amazing audio creen mounted in the trunk features two Xbox 360s and a huge LCD screen lid for those impromptu Crackdown head-to-head battles! Five winners will receive a special edition Crackdown 2 Xbox 360 Elite, and all winners will get a copy of Crackdown 2, which goes on sale July 6th!

What are you waiting for? This sweepstakes is open to all those in the U.S. who are 18 and older. Enter now at dubmag.net/crackdown2!

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those who are familiar familiar w with it will remember a few landmarks and what not.

“The key thing to Cra Crackdown 2 is that there isn’t a certain way to do the stuff,” Noyce describes. “We didn’t build it that way. We built it in hopes that people will make up their own ways of doing it. If that bad guy is giving you grief, go and get a b bus and throw it at his head, it’s as simple as that.

If you can’t gget somewhere, level up a bit, or get your mates to throw you. It It’s all about having the freedom to make things up and try some something and if that doesn’t work, try something else.

There’s no right or wrong way to succeeding in the game.

Everyth Everything depends upon the gamer’s imagination. So far, we’ve seen some crazy stuff already. People are quite inventive inventive.” Smith also adds that “little bit of creativity and mischief w will go a long way in Crackdown 2.”

As Crackdown fans anticipate taking another crack at saving Pa Pacific City, we’re looking ahead to see if Ruffian Games already has ha their eyes set on a part three. “I thinkCrackdown can go pretty prett far,” Smith admits. “However, right now, all our attention is on Crackdown 2.” Here’s to hoping the gaming gods and the head honchos aat Ruffian Games feel the same!

DUB MAG MAG JUL JUL // AUG AUG 2010 2010 32 DUB 60

M

ingling with celebrities, bidding on one-of-a-kind auction items like a vacation on a private island or a special dinner with one of Hollywood’s A-listers, all while going home with the peace of mind that you’ve done something great for mankind are the sentiments you’ll get when attending the annual Celebrity Fight Night gala. This isn’t your traditional black-tie event.

“I think what is unique about Celebrity Fight Night is that people can meet and mingle with celebrities and entertainers, whereas other galas have them excluded in a special area away from the crowd,” says Sean Currie, Executive Director of the Celebrity Fight

Night Foundation. “It’s not an event where the celebrities are behind velvet ropes, where you can’t talk or meet them. Instead, the celebrities are very accommodating and have a good time mingling with our guests.”

Now in its 17th consecutive year, as planning for 2011’s event begins, Celebrity Fight Night has grown into one of the nation’s premier, star-studded charity events, selling out every year since its inception in 1994, with the legendary Muhammad Ali as the special guest of honor for the past 15 years.

Founded by the President of Walker Financial, Jimmy Walker, and held in Phoenix, Arizona each spring, the event started out as a comedy boxing match, where celebrities would get in an authentic boxing ring with DUB MAG MAG JUL / AUG 2010 32 DUB 62

JUL / AUG 2010

DUB MAG 33 63

WORDS: KRISTIE BERTUCCI PHOTOS: GREG B.

research, and education for those whose lives have been touched by Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease. In addition to clinical services, the Center conducts extensive research in new medical and surgical treatments for Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease and related disorders.

Currie notes the highest bid that has been raised on a single live auction item was $600,000 for a foursome golf package with Arnold Palmer, at his home course in Latrobe, PA a couple years ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However this year Reba McEntireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive dinner auction item at her home in Beverly Hills sold three times for $300,000 each, so she raised $900,000 for charity,â&#x20AC;? Currie says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reba is a signature for our event who brings an unparalleled warmth and welcoming hospitality to the night as our emcee. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure the bidders see that when they bid on the opportunity to have a memorable dinner with her.â&#x20AC;?

oversized boxing gloves and duke it out for charity. It has evolved over the years into being primarily a live musical concert and sit-down dinner/ auction extravaganza. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We continued the comedy boxing theme for about eight years, but after a while, the live music part of our entertainment started to take off and be the highlight of the night,â&#x20AC;? Currie describes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now we focus on the live concert with about six to eight acts every year, including comedians between performances.â&#x20AC;?

With each event, celebrities and professional athletes from all over the country participate in a night filled with unbelievable Live Auction items. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The live auction is an exciting part of the show with items you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t purchase even if you wanted to, like celebrity dinners and unique trips to islands,â&#x20AC;?

Currie explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thanks to the strong relationships weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve built over the years with celebrities, we can create unique celebrity experiences for our auction packages. We are also happy to honor a few celebrities each year with special awards presented on stage by Muhammad Ali and his wife Lonnie. This kind of show honoring a man with a heart as big as the Champâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s truly brings out the best in all our celebrity guests. We are thrilled when our guests comment about how genuine and giving the celebrities are each year, since it shows the kinder, more sincere side of the much-hyped celebrity world.â&#x20AC;?

Throughout Celebrity Fight Nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 16-year history, nearly $65 million has been raised with the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute (also in Phoenix) as the primary beneficiary of the proceeds. The institute provides diagnostic and treatment services, DUB MAG MAG JUL JUL // AUG AUG 2010 34 DUB 64

For the past two years, DUB has auctioned off custom rides, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s being a customized Lincoln MKT. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year, it was a special Tony Hawk Edition Jeep Wrangler,â&#x20AC;? Currie describes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Both have been very successful in the auction, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re really happy with DUBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in Celebrity Fight Night. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see what DUB will bring for 2011!â&#x20AC;?

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registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

THE OPPOSITE EXTREMES OF

RON ARTEST

W R I T T E N

B Y :

68 DUB MAG JUL / AUG 2010

N I C K

H A L I L I

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P H O T O S :

M I C H A E L

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“O

pposite extremes.” A phrase that has defined Ron Artest’s pro basketball career and, at times, also describes how he lives his life away from the court. Before the 2009-2010 NBA season started, Artest was most remembered for participating in the notorious Pacers/Pistons brawl six years ago, where NBA players and fans got into a physical altercation during the closing seconds of a hotly contested regular season game. Yet today, he is now perhaps best known for arguably the most exuberant outpouring of joy a pro athlete has ever displayed after winning the 2010 NBA Finals as a member of the storied Los Angeles Lakers.

We caught up with Artest at two important junctures this basketball season: right before the season started, when many wondered whether he’d be a “loose cannon” or “distraction” during

the Lakers’ quest to win back-to-back titles, and again right after it ended, as he basked in the afterglow of the World Championship-clinching Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics in which he was the definitive hero of the game.

True to form, on and off the court, Artest was moving at a frenetic pace on both of these days. When we dropped in on him one overcast morning last September, Ron was in full Hollywood-mode, rushing to finish a Beverly Hills photo shoot, so that he could be on time for the paparazzi feeding frenzy at his good friend, and fellow New Yorker, Lamar Odom’s wedding to Khloe Kardashian. Months later, during the warm June afternoon of the recent interview, he went from having a small BBQ at his home with family and friends, to performing his aptly-titled single, “Champions,” in front of a throng of rabid fans at JUL / AUG 2010

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11:27PM

the Culver City mall then ending out the night partying at a Downtown L.A. club to share the stage with T-Pain.

When asked last Fall about how he would balance the more glamorous aspects of living in the entertainment capital of the world with the responsibility of being the newest piece of the puzzle to help the Lakers attain a historic 16th franchise world title, Artest replied point-blank. “There is no balance. Basketball is up here [as the 6-foot-7-inch player gestured above his head] and everything else is off-balance: the music, the entertainment, the photo shoots.” On that day, it remained to be seen whether his actions would reflect these sentiments, but by the time legendary Lakers head coach Phil Jackson declared Artest the MVP of the decisive Game 7, there was no doubt where the often-unpredictable superstar’s priorities lay.

However, it wouldn’t be vintage Ron Artest if the road to becoming a champion was easy and uneventful. From the crucial missed free throws near the end of the Lakers’ Game 5 loss in the Finals to the mid-season concussion he sustained at home (which cost him five games) to even way back to his own assertion before the season even began that if the Lakers didn’t repeat, it would be his fault. With a multitude of obstacles to overcome this past season, he not only overcame them all, but he did it in Hollywood-movie dramatic fashion, and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

12:20AM

When the final seconds of the clock ran out and the Lakers were officially crowned NBA World Champions once again, no one was more excited than Ron Artest. The man that some critics asserted never used his head when he played made a point of thanking his psychologist for getting his mental game to the level he needed to become a champion. “[My psychologist] told me that I was limiting myself because I wasn’t playing to my potential,”

he shared with us in between bites during his summer BBQ. “I was more amazed that I was playing with these two great basketball minds [Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant] that I wasn’t playing my game. But in Game 7, I was able to play with a bunch of pressure on me. I was calm like the eye of a storm. And it was all because of her. She’s dope!”

But that’s not to say everything goes the way Artest visualizes it in his head. Leading into his now-famous post-game news conference, he had a very different idea about how he wanted to celebrate. “I wanted to be the first person to win a championship and go right out of the arena and not say a thing to nobody. But the emotion was crazy.” Instead, he proceeded to captivate a room full of reporters as if he were Dave Chappelle bringing down the house at the Improv. The former poster boy for what’s wrong with the NBA was now on a box of Wheaties. His elation was infectious, as was his desire to share this joy with family, friends and fans.

To Ron, sometimes these groups are all one and the same. “I don’t consider them fans. I consider them my friends,” he shared. This may sound like the typical lip service any celebrity gives, but all one needs to do is look around at the guests at his backyard BBQ. Mixed in amongst his own family and close confidants are the Raquids, a Filipino family from Harbor City, CA who were surprised to have Artest knock on their door after jokingly inviting him on Twitter to eat a home-cooked meal at their house. Sitting next to Artest by the pool was Barak Golan, who won a Twitter contest to be his “Sidekick for the Year” and was later seen shooting baskets with one of Ron’s sons in the front yard. As motley a group of guests as it was, the one common denominator is that they all say that Artest, known in the media for being “crazy,” is one of the most normal, down to earth people they know.

70 DUB MAG JUL / AUG 2010

2:25AM I WANTED TO BE THE FIRST PERSON TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP AND GO RIGHT OUT OF THE ARENA AND NOT SAY A THING TO NOBODY. BUT THE EMOTION WAS CRAZY.

So normal and down to Earth that Artest does not talk about his own burgeoning music career as an avenue to become a multi-media force, a common trend among celebs, athletes and artists nowadays. Making music is Artest’s second passion in life after basketball, and he talks in terms of hoping to make it big as if he wasn’t even already incredibly famous. “I’m looking forward to the World Wide Wariers’ album. I’m really hoping that we [including band mates Foul Monday, Ruc and Challace] get a break! We’ve been trying to do this for a long time, and we’ve been hearing the same story for 10 years.” For those who doubt whether Artest can ever pull of a second career as a musician, don’t be too quick to dismiss something he has his mind set on.

After all, who other than Artest can go from scapegoat to hero in literally under 60 seconds like he did during this year’s hard fought playoff run? It was back in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. Clinging desperately to a three-point lead during the closing minute of the game, and with nearly the entire L.A. home crowd at the Staples MAY/ /AUG JUN2010 2010 44 72 DUB MAG JUL

3:15AM Center crying “Nooooooo!” in unison the second he touched the ball, Artest, who was already having a horrid shooting night launched a three-point brick, which gave the Suns the momentum to possibly take over the game and the entire series. “You ever seen a kid talk back to his Mom?” Artest recounted as he remembered that exact moment. “The mom says, ‘Hey, don’t do that!’ And the little, bad kid says, ‘No!’ That’s what I was doing to those fans [who were booing].”

But this same stubborn, headstrong attitude would, far sooner than any of those fans thought, lead to one of the quickest reversal of fortunes in all of sports. Artest refused to give up on a play in the last few seconds of the game, as he caught a Kobe Bryant air ball with 1.3-seconds left and ended up hitting the game-winning shot. Those exact same fans who mere seconds ago were pleading with him not to shoot, not to even touch the ball on offense, were now exulting him at the top of their sore lungs with a deafening, roaring cheer.

Opposite extremes.

MICHAEL VINCENT PHOTOGRAPHY: WWW.MICHAELVINCENT.COM DIRECTOR OF OPERATION - TAL-B ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER - WILLIAM MACGEE RON ARTEST: COURTESY OF IKON SPORT MARKETING CRESCENDO PUBLIC RELATIONS - HEIDI BUECH BOOKED BY ROBERT VALENTINO (VALENTINO MANAGEMENT) NATALIN AVCI: COURTESTY OF VALENTINO MANAGEMENT MAKE-UP AND HAIR: JO ECKENBERG AND BREANA LITTLE STYLING: BEATRICE PROCHAZKA CLOTHING: WWW.BIZZYBOFHOLLYWOOD.COM LOCATION: SLS HOTEL AT BEVERLY HILLS

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WORDS: KRISTIE BERTUCCI PHOTOS: JAE BUENO | WWW.JAEBUENO.COM

DUB MAG MAG JUL / AUG 2010 36 DUB 76

O

ctavio “Topo” Villafana has turned his unique skill of transforming modern day pony cars into full-blown, wide-stanced, all-metal widebody muscle rides, which has become a highly sought after modification by many. It has spread throughout the country as a status symbol or necessity to have in owning a Mustang, Charger, Challenger and Camaro.

Topo’s masterful widebody creations have also inspired other builders/shops to emulate his work and create their own version of the widehipped phenomenon.

Now, the widebody virtuoso is back on the scene and is once again setting trends— this time with old school Impalas. No stranger to the lowriding scene, Topo is working on “low-rods,” in which he completely restores early-’60s Impala models complete with some modern additions, allowing him to touch upon his fabricating roots when he used to build nothing but lowriders.

“We call them low-rods since we’re putting bigger wheels on them instead of the usual smaller wire wheels, but still keeping them low to the gground with airbags and all,” he explains.

“We’re not ridi riding them high like Donks and making the wh wheel arches wider to make it seem as if th these bigger wheels naturally go with the car. We’re also setting them up with w a staggered fitment.”

Ha Having already gone under a complete co facelift before, Topo totally to restored the cover’s ’61 Impala Impa that belongs to his good friend Sunny, w which will be passed down to his 6-year-old son, so Seth, once he becomes of age.

“The car was actually started two years ago,” ac Topo explains. “We got it back from the guy, and Sunny had an eeven better vision for it. That’s when we decided decid to redo everything.”

Taking another eight months to complete, Topo did a tota total frame restoration, added some 20-inch Forgiato Vizzo wheels in the front and placed some 22-inch ones out back. He also redid the Impala’s airbag suspension and re-worked the interior. Everything was also re-chromed, and Danny from Dream Workz installed a new Rockford Fosgate sound system complete with an Alpine head unit. “It still has the paint job from the previous job, but we pretty much wanted to revamp everything on it ourselves,” he explains.

Now that Topo has yet another customizing skill set under his belt that will be just as popular as his widebody work, it was time for him to move from his one-car garage out of Paramount to a bigger shop to accommodate his constantly slammed schedule. He has actually teamed up with the ’61 Impala’s owner, Sunny, and started TS Designs out of Gardena, CA. Last time we stopped in on Topo, he mentioned that JUL / AUG 2010

DUB MAG 37 77

complete shop thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll basically put their touch on any ride you bring them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to keep it as clean as possible,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a lot of expensive cars here and want to have a nice shop, so when people come here, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re impressed by what they see because a shop tells a lot about a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. If you have a dirty shop, it just shows the type of work youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll put out there. Our shop is clean, we have TVs everywhere, leather sofas, and want everybody to feel welcomed while theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here at the shop.â&#x20AC;?

With people just wanting to say they have a ride done by Topo, the fabricator is still grounded and

humble and a bit oblivious to his enormous fame.

When asked how heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rate himself as a builder, he humbly answered: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy with what I do. As far as rating myself, wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how to do it, wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m good or the best, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a question that has to be left to the people. I just do what I love to do and think it shows in the end product of all my work.â&#x20AC;?

With 18 to 20 rides deep in the shop at any given time and a growing waiting list, it shows that the people have spoken, and the consensus is that Topo is indeed one phenomenal builder whose future is looking to become legendary.

TECH SPECS: ! #

a shop wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in the cards, but when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in high demand as Topo is, you obviously need to reevaluate your priorities.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;As far as it goes, I want it to be a shop where weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not known just for one thing or for a certain type of car. I could have easily named it â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Topoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Widebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or something like that since thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing for a while, but I want it to go beyond that. I wanted â&#x20AC;&#x153;Designs,â&#x20AC;? so we can mess with whatever cars come in. At TS Designs, we work on low-rods, lowriders, new cars and anything that our customers want, so we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really specialize in one particular thing. We customize it all.â&#x20AC;?

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The TS Designs facility holds anywhere from 25-30 cars at a time, has nine employees and is currently gaining notoriety by word of mouth and their presence at all the local car shows and even through event coverage that surfaces on the Web. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also establishing TS Designs as a

ROCKFORD FOSGATE $$$ !

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BOSTON ACOUSTIC $$$ ! " !

DUB MAG MAG JUL / AUG 2010 38 DUB 78

DREAM WORKZ $$$ $ & "

“IT’S ALL ABOUT MAKING THE CAR MORE PERSONAL. CLIENTS DON’T WANT TO DRIVE A CAR THAT OTHERS HAVE AND WANT AS MUCH PERSONALIZATION AS POSSIBLE.” 82 DUB MAG JUL / AUG 2010

word of mouth success WORDS: KRISTOPHER KU PHOTOS: JAE BUENO | WWW.JAEBUENO.COM

S

ometimes word of mouth PR is worth more than thousands of dollars spent on advertising and marketing campaigns.

Just ask Eric Ramirez, who has kept the same cell number for the past 10 years due to the overwhelming word of mouth recommendations he has had from past clients, customers and friends. With a stellar reputation within the aftermarket scene and years of experience customizing cars and working at Zenetti Wheels, Eric has finally ventured into owning his own shop, Ghost Motorsports.

Already an established shop for quite some time by owner Danny Abdelmalak, Eric became a partner about a year and a half ago, after being encouraged by Abdelmalak to go into business.

“I’ve always wanted to have my own shop, given I’ve always been doing something car related, but it wasn’t until the economy took a turn for the worse that I realized my desire for my own shop,” he says. While most would have played it safe and waited for the economy to get better before rushing into such an important business decision, Eric viewed it as a chance to pursue his dreams.

Prior to Eric’s arrival, Ghost Motorsports was primarily a service shop that dealt with routine car maintenance, but has transitioned into becoming a one-stop stop for its customers.

“The service side wasn’t up to par in terms of handling customization jobs,” Eric admits. “It was managed by older guys, who weren’t up to date when it came to what’s hot in the car world.

I came in bringing a whole new mentality to the Motorsports division in hopes of growing the business and providing customers with a fresh outlook on car modification.”

Accustomed to building three to four SEMA

cars each year, creating a client’s dream is second nature for Eric. “The fact that I know what looks good and what doesn’t on particular cars allow for my customers to get the best of how they want their car to look,” he explains. “I have very particular tastes when it comes to my own cars and don’t just use any products that aren’t of quality; neither do I follow any certain car trends.

This is how I treat all of my customers’ cars. I won’t release a car unless I can say that I’ll jump in it and hit the streets.”

As a shop that deals with all types of cars, Eric says that the majority of cars Ghost Motorsports works on are exotics and luxury vehicles, with the occasional lowrider. Currently, Eric is working on revamping a customer’s

all-new Audi R8, but is also working on four other cars at the same time. “We’ve been really busy, thankfully. There’s at least a one-month waiting list for customers right now. We have a Ferrari Enzo coming in soon, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

Being constantly busy, Eric has noticed that many of his clients are asking to black-out their ride and desire custom-built wheels. “It’s all about making the car more personal,” he says. “Clients don’t want to drive a car that others have and want as much personalization as possible. For instance, not only will we build one-off wheels, we’ll also go further by engraving their initials in the center caps or something like that.”

He also has more requests for cleaner

JUL // AUG AUG 2010 2010 DUB DUB MAG MAG 83 43 JUL

modifications, rather than extreme builds. “Getting all crazy on your car isn’t the thing to do anymore,” he asserts. “People want to keep the clean look of their car, but also want to add simple, unique additions.” He’s also noticing a resurgence in the interest of lowriders and has a couple at the shop waiting to be restored, such as a ’64 Impala and ’66 Chevelle. Also included in Eric’s busy car customizing schedule are several celebrity rides, including those that belong to P-Rod, Terry Kennedy, Mister Cartoon, Paul Wall, and just recently, James Loney from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Besides being a full customization shop, Eric is also making Ghost Motorsports a lifestyle entity, providing various lifestyle brands at his shop, such as Transparent Systems, Diamond Supply, Mister Cartoon, Estevan Oriol and Undefeated. You’ll also notice a special lifestyle section on Ghost Motorsports’ site, where you can read the latest news on some of his clients’ current ventures, such as P-Rod’s latest Nike shoe or Mister Cartoon’s latest lifestyle collabo.

“I want to help out a lot of my clients that have lifestyle brands,” he says. “Car customization is a lifestyle now and a way of who we are. It doesn’t define us, but we define it, and Ghost Motorsports’ Lifestyle branch will continue to grow as long as the business does.”

And so far business is better than good for the Ghost Motorsports crew. As he basks in the shop’s current success, Eric still remains humble and retains his hard work ethics that has helped guide him to where he is today. With a “business first” mentality, Eric realizes that he had to sacrifice a lot to get to this point in his career and isn’t sorry he has. “Sacrifice is a word that comes to those that want their dreams to become reality,” he says.

“Travelling on the road for six years establishing clients and setting up distribution areas from east to west, north to south. Jet lag, watching friends get married, kids being born and family members

GHOST MOTORSPORTS 9030 NATIONAL BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90034 GHOSTMOTORSPORTS.COM

84 DUB MAG JUL / AUG 2010

passing are just some of the things I missed since I was always focused on my job. I’m proof if you believe in yourself, anything is possible. I started in a warehouse with a dream and now my dreams have become a reality.”

Fully focused on expanding his dream, Eric’s stellar reputation is the bi-product of his determination to succeed, which is why his word of

mouth recommendations has grown his clientele and helped make the shop a successful entity within the customization scene. “Crow from the Famous crew dropped his ride off here after hearing about our work,” he explains. “At least 60 percent of our business comes from people passing along my number, which is why I’ve kept it for so long and plan to keep it for as long as I can.”

s Lady s o B e h T Be It Pays To

“B B

ehind every strong man is an even stronger woman.” This is very much the case with Snoop Dogg and his wife Shante Broadus, who have been together since high school. Besides being the wife of one of hip-hop’s biggest players, a mother to their two sons and daughter, Shante also holds her own as the head of Boss Lady Entertainment and proves she’s just as much in charge as her husband. While Snoop may be the Boss Dogg, Shante is the Boss Lady, and talks about what it’s like loving Snoop, her career and her love of fast, flashy cars.

On Being Married To Snoop: What’s it like being married to one of music’s greatest rappers?

You have your ups and downs. Of course, I get great treatment everywhere I go. But then I also spend a lot of time alone since my husband is always on the road, making money to better his career. I love that he’s been in the game this long and that he’s been blessed to take on his new role at Priority Records. He now has a chance to be on the business side of music, rather than just the artist side. I love how it’s allowing him to grow and keep going to the top. He’s getting bigger and growing and who can be mad at that? Not wifey.

Do you ever wish he did something else?

A regular husband would probably bring me regular pay, so I don’t think I’d like that part. And then a regular husband would always be around.

You need to miss whoever you’re in a relationship with. So that when you’re together after being apart for so long, everything is all good and great.

What attracted you to Snoop?

It was his eyes. When I first met Snoop, it was this thing where we kept running into each other.

DUB MAG MAG JUL / AUG 2010 46 DUB 88

But when he first said a word to me, I was looking at his big ol’ eyes, like, “Oh, he is so handsome.”

His eyes definitely attracted me. I also love that he is a gangsta rapper. Love gangsta music, and he keeps it way real.

Is he the same Snoop at home that he is in public?

I think he’s different at home. At home, he’s my husband, he’s dad, he’s cousin, uncle, whatever.

Out in public he’s Snoop Dogg and that’s what his fans love about him. It’s what he needs to give them, but we don’t need all that at home.

On Being a Businesswoman: Why did you start Boss Lady Entertainment?

I love helping others and with Boss Lady Entertainment I can help artists and those trying to get into the game. I can help them grow being that I used to manage my husband. This is the life I’m in so why not do something that I’m already in to. It all came with my husband being a part of the business and since he was successful at it, it made me want to do it and be as successful as he is now. The name Boss Lady Entertainment came about because well, one, I’m a lady; two, I’m a boss and it just goes. My husband is the boss dogg and I’m the boss lady. It’s like Bonnie and Clyde. I have a whole movement going on with Boss Lady Entertainment. There is a dance studio called Lady Lounge, a management segment where I manage artists like Lady of Rage and other upcoming artists. I also have a foundation, which is my I Am S.H.A.N.T.E, Seeking Her Ambitions Necessary To Excel. It’s for little girls from ages 7 to 17. They are our future, so if they don’t have anyone teaching them, how are they going to teach future generations. My goal was to teach younger generation girls especially, how to become mothers, how to care of a home, become

JUL / AUG 2010

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WORDS: DEANNE DELUNA PHOTOS: ROMAN RACELA | WWW.ROMANRACELA.COM

better women when they grow up.

Which aspect do you like most from your company?

I would say managing because I love helping people and my studio since I love dancing. It’s the best thing I could have opened. Positive energy comes through dance. I don’t teach dance, but I do have instructors that will come out and teach the various classes. Boss Lady Entertainment has a couple of projects in the works. It’s still new and I’m revamping a few things, so everyday is something new. Right now, we’re focusing on the foundation and doing more things with it. Started it about late2009. It’s still fresh. Working on first event right now that we are planning for something this summer.

The first event we’re planning is a double dutch camp for girls. We are going to secure a location, not sure where though, but have about 15 girls come out and do a double dutch tournament, etc. It’s going to be based out of Long Beach since that’s where I’m from. Want it to grow to other cities as well. I would like it to be global. Bigger is better. I want to help everyone; everybody needs help.

How involved is Snoop with your BLE? My husband is not really involved in the company.

Of course, he’s my husband, so he has my back.

Whatever I need help in, he’s there to support.

It’s pretty much my thing with him just backing me. But then I back him with his career, too.

It’s tough being the boss since you’re the go-to person. But I’m the boss lady so I can handle it.

The best part of being the boss lady is that I have a whole support team behind me.

DUB MAG MAG JUL / AUG 2010 48 DUB 90

What does it take to be a strong woman/ businesswoman in your words?

To be a strong business woman and a strong family woman you have to have strong family support. That’s number one. What makes me most proud about my business and being a businesswoman is just helping people. Boss Lady Entertainment would like to make a difference in the industry and just by helping folks. I like seeing them get to the next level whatever that is in their life. I want to see everyone at the top, especially those who are part of my company.

On Family What was it like doing the reality show “Fatherhood” that showed off your family to the rest of the world?

Doing Fatherhood, bringing that to my home with my children, felt it was the right time since they were the right age. It was fun and it allowed us to have more time together while still working. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Anything that brings my family together, I’ll do. It was fun and the world loved it.

No more “Fatherhood,” but can’t say that I wouldn’t want to do one on my career. Boss Lady is always reaching for the top so we may have another show in the works.

Do you want your kids to be in entertainment too?

It’s pretty much up to my children. I’m going to support them 100 percent in life and whatever they want to be. Whatever decision they make, as a mother, I will support them and with that support, they’ll be good at whatever they do.

On Cars: Why did you choose to buy the Porsche Panamera and X6M? I chose the Porsche because I like whatever the latest and hottest car is, and my car guy said this is the best car to have right now, so I had to have it. I haven’t even hit the streets in it yet. It’s actually only a couple of days old. I’m so excited to get behind the wheel to see how fast I’m going to be able to drive and how good the seat will feel once I’m in it. I just love cars. Seriously, I’m not even joking. Think I’m going to hit Crenshaw in my new car first [laughs].

Why do you love cars so much?

I’ve been loving cars ever since I was a little girl.

I’d be in the back seat looking out and checking out all the cars, wanting them all as they drove by me. I’ve always loved cars and now that I’m older and have a successful husband, I’m able to get those cars that I was checking out.

So what about the BMW X6M? I love new things and it was new. It’s fast and its white. I’m into white cars right now. First it was grey, but now white has my eye. I’m not sure why.

My first car was a Range Rover that was white. It might be blue next year, I don’t know, just got to keep it going. Broke the Bimmer in already. It drives like a jet. It has a smooth drive, and I just love it.

Which do you drive more?

I have cars for certain occasions. I have a kids car, my car when I’m going out with the girls, my car for just me when I’m alone. First, all of them will

always be flashy cars. The Porsche is going to be my go out with the girls and when I’m by myself car. The BMW is my everyday ride; it’ll get me everywhere, while still being flashy.

What other cars do you have in your arsenal?

I still love my white Range Rover ’til this day and that’s the oldest car. It’s a 2006 Range Rover. You just can’t go wrong with it.

Would you say you own your dream car(s)? If not, what do you want to get?

That would be the Bentley Coupe, but I’m not trying to get it soon. That’s my dream car when I retire, so no rush on that one.

My next car purchase I think will be the

SHANTE BROADUS TWITTER.COM/BLENEWS TWITTER.COM/BOSSLADY_ENT BLENTONLINE.COM

Chevy Camaro because I want one and I get what I want. I already have a Dodge Challenger, so the Camaro has to be next.

Do your car tastes differ from your husband’s?

Oh my God, I’m quite sure you know Snoop.

Snoop is about old school. The only reason he got a Porsche is because wifey has a Porsche, so he got one. He’s old school, and I’m so into new school, futuristic stuff. That’s why he works so hard, to get me my cars [laughs]. I do have a trend, flashy, fast cars: FFC. My cars are cute and I love speeding, I’m not a slow girl at all and my cars need to be fast to keep up with me.

PHOTO ASSISTANTS: GILBERT CARILLO, HENRY TRAN PIRELLI: WWW.US.PIRELLI.COM INTERAD: WWW.INTERADWHEELS.COM

On Being a Businesswoman:

Why did you want to start your Boss Lady Entertainment?

I love helping others and with Boss Lady Entertainment I can help artists and those trying to get into the game. I can help them grow being that I used to manage my husband. This is the life I’m in so why not do something that I’m already in to. It all came with my husband being a part of the business and since he was successful at it, it made me want to do it and be as successful as he is now. The name Boss Lady Entertainment came about because, well, one, I’m a lady; two, I’m a boss and it just goes. My husband is the boss dogg and I’m the boss lady.

It’s like Bonnie and Clyde.

What does your company encompass?

I have a whole movement going on with Boss Lady Entertainment. I have a dance studio called Lady Lounge, a management segment where I manage artists like Lady of Rage and other upcoming artists. I also have a foundation, which is my I Am S.H.A.N.T.E, Seeking Her Ambitions Necessary To Excel. Just trying to do it all. It’s 2010, my kids are getting older and keeping the Boss Lady umbrella very big.

THE BMW X6M FEATURES 22INCH INTERAD FORGED LeMANS WHEELS WRAPPED IN PIRELLI PZERO NERO 265/30R22 FRONT AND 315/25R22 REAR TIRES.

Which aspect do you like most from your company?

I would say managing because I love helping people and my studio since I love dancing. It’s the best thing I could have opened. Positive energy comes through dance. I don’t teach dance, but I do have instructors that will come out and teach the various classes. Boss Lady Entertainment has

2010

ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE WORDS: MIKE DALY PHOTOS: ASTON MARTIN

A

bout five years ago, in an effort to create a new market segment, auto manufacturers began to blur the lines between coupes and sedans. Mercedes-Benz’s CLS led a pack of cars that claimed to deliver coupe-like performance while providing the comfort, luxury and cargo capacity of a sedan. The somewhat deceptive marketing campaign on which these cars crested, however, could never change the fact that they were actually still sedans by the traditional definition.

More recently, a few sports car manufacturers have attempted to reach the same destination from the opposite direction, that is, by stretching a sporty coupe into a sedan. This time the lead was taken by Porsche, whose Panamera debuted last year to mixed reviews, while Lamborghini and Bugatti quickly followed suit with one-off concept cars.

The problem is, as many critics have pointed out, most sports cars just don’t look right with an extra set of doors. Something about the addition of extra volume bloats the delicate balance of a sports car’s sinewy lines, pushing the original design language beyond its comfort zone. In the case of the Panamera, very clearly giving new meaning to the phrase “junk in the trunk.”

So bearing in mind the mixed track record of these various attempts to crossbreed two traditionally separate body types, it’s heartening to see that one company finally hit the nail on the head.

Aesthetically, the Aston Martin Rapide is the most successful translation yet of a sports car into a sedan. Capably wearing the company’s signature shape, the Rapide is very much an extension of the DB9, though not literally. Featuring an all-new, model-specific aluminum and steel body panels, the Rapide actually looks like a stretched out version of Aston Martin’s famed DB9. So effective is the Rapide’s design, with its pillarless junction of front and rear door glass that from certain angles it actually appears to be a coupe.

A little time in the Rapide reveals that while its soul resembles that of a sports car, its heart still lies in luxury amenities characteristic of a touring sedan. Sure, the Rapide has Aston Martin’s trademark 6-liter V12, good for

470 horsepower, but in a car this heavy, the powerplant is capable of only pushing 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds—quick, but still more than a full second slower than the Panamera Turbo.

Furthermore, the Rapide’s paddle activated 6-speed Touchtronic 2 gearbox is set to regular Drive by default, and lacks the microsecond-quick shifts of the dual clutch systems that now inhabit many of their competitors.

The Touchtronic 2 also gets a little confusing at times, especially when activated from neutral at speed, when it might give you 5th gear, or it might give you 3rd gear. Don’t try shifting out of neutral when coasting at less than 10 mph, though. The car’s computer seems to interpret the slow speed as unintentional rolling and advises you via a dash warning message that you must first step on the brake to engage shifting. Needless to say, if you’re in the middle of gently moving traffic, this is more than a nuisance.

Despite these small deficiencies, the Rapide is still very much a driver’s car, with agile handling care of near perfect weight distribution (49% front, 51% rear), strong torque, and joyful shifting, especially when Sport Mode is activated. And like the DBS, the Rapide offers a Dynamic Stability Control system that allows the driver to adjust the degree of computer-assisted traction control, or completely turn it off for the purest communication with the road.

The stitched Chancellor Red leather of our test car’s interior quickly clarified that, driver’s sensibilities aside, the Rapide is all about passenger luxury. The cabin is trimmed with an Alcantara headliner that reaches down the A-pillars for a stylish offset. In other Aston Martins, the center dash console panel extends down between the front seats, but in the Rapide this JUL / AUG 2010

93 DUB MAG 51

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ULE3: ULTIMATE LAMBORGHINI EXPERIENCE EVENT PHOTOS: VERONE PANGILINAN

ust because you own a Lambo, doesn’t mean you necessarily know how to drive it. Luckily for those fortunate enough to own one can learn the logistics at the Ultimate Lamborghini Experience Event, which was held on June 3, 2010 at the AAA California Speedway out in Fontana, CA and hosted by Al & Ed’s Autosound, along with Lamborghini Beverly Hills.

What started out as a gathering of only 10 Lamborghini enthusiasts has grown into a massive event and is now in its third consecutive year.

This year, straight from Italy, they had the honor of having the legendary Valentino Balboni, consultant, former chief test driver and current brand ambassador for Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. The day kicked off with customer arrivals and a meet and greet with Balboni, who has reportedly driven more than ¾ of all Lamborghini models ever made and was a huge hit with attendees.

Owners brought their Gallardos, LPs, Diablos, Superleggeras, and WWW.ULTIMATELAMBORGHINIEXPERIENCE.COM

DUB MAG MAG JUL JUL // AUG AUG 2010 54 DUB 96

Murciélagos, some stock and some totally modified. But the Ultimate Lamborghini Experience is more than just a get together. Before taking to the track, each driver must attend a technical session in the classroom, outlining the dos and don’ts of high-speed driving. In addition, each driver has a personal co-pilot consisting of a current or former race car driver.

These private tutors know exactly what to do on the track and provide lots of personal attention to really educate Lamborghini owners on how to properly handle their high-horsepower vehicles.

WORDS / PHOTOS: MICHAEL MANCINI | MICHAELMANCINIPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

O

riginally built for the Official American Motorcycle Dealer World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Sturgis, South Dakota, where bikes don’t have to be functional but are instead judged on their creativity and overall appearance, Orange Crush began its life as a nonfunctional piece of art on two wheels. After the competition, the bike was pushed aside, collecting dust in the corner until Jason Nieman from Speed and Custom Cycles Bike in Rudolph WI, decided he didn’t want it to go to waste and took it to Bobby Reed from East Side Chop Shop of Elkridge, MD (now its owner) to transform it into a functional, road-going chopper.

Investing about $42K in the project Nieman and Reed went to work to push Orange Crush into meeting its expectations as a bike that could hit the open road. “We’ve built and sold a number of award-winning motorcycles, but this one is by far the coolest and most unique one we’ve done,” Reed mentions.

“This is literally a one-of-a-kind bike!”

Completely custom fabricated from three sticks of tubing and two sheets JUL / AUG 2010

DUB MAG 57 99

ORANGE CRUSH

of flat metal, the cycle rests close to ground level without a kickstand, and a simple flip of a switch controls its smooth air ride. Other than brakes, transmission, wheels and controls, every part and detail of this bike is custom-made in house by East Side Chop Shop and its crew. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All parts used on the bike are top-of-the-line, so we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cut any corners when perfecting the Orange Crush,â&#x20AC;? Reed explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The motor alone has more than $17K invested in it.â&#x20AC;?

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DENVER AUG 22

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FOR TICKETS & INFO DUBSHOWTOUR.COM CALL FOR VENDOR / SPONSORSHOP INFO 626.336.3821

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he DUB Show Tour landed in “The Big Apple” on April 9, just in time for the annual and highly anticipated New York Auto Show. Held at the Jacob Javits Center from April 9 through 11, this was the first year that the DUB Show Tour was connected with the NY Auto Show, allowing guests to get two great car shows in one!

Action Tire rolled out with their massive collection of vehicles, making for an impressive fleet in their booth. Their celebrity clientele Ice-T and his supermodel wife Coco, as well as NFL great Brandon Jacobs, were also on hand to sign autographs and take photos with fans, which blew the crowd away.

Martino Auto Concepts had some of the sickest cars in the building, which included their enticing Ferrari

Enzo. Mobile Werks brought out one huge beast with their unique remake of the F550-based Conquest Knight XV, while Killer Kreations awed everyone with their artistic vehicles.

UFC champion fighter Matt “The Terror” Serra got the crowd hyped, signing autographs at the various sponsor booths, while the Monster Energy Lounge served up refreshing energy drinks in all their delicious flavors. Rix Magazine had the place jumping with the hottest East Coast DJs mixing up the best cuts. The Xbox 360 Gaming Arcade showcases their latest and greatest titles that had gamers entertained the entire time, while 2K Sports was stocked with demos of their MLB 2K10 for all to try their skills on. Pioneer Electronics also demonstrated their latest offerings in in-car audio systems.

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DUB MAG MAG JUL JUL // AUG AUG 2010 2010 52 DUB 110

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A GLIMPSE INTO ISSUE 68

: T U O TAP ND 2 ROU

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