RICK ROSS

Trying to pick the best soundtrack of all time or even the top ten is nearly ....nope, it's just downright impossible. However, what's easier to determine is someone whose films will always, without a doubt, be in that category: Quentin Tarantino. Fight scenes, sexy dancing, over-the-top gore, and badass music are what come to mind when someone mentions a Tarantino film. His latest western-themed movie about bounty hunting and slavery, Django: Unchained, follows suit. While many movies incorporate the same music and scene irony for dramatic effect; one might say Tarantino is the Godfather of cinematic juxtaposition with his music and scene choices and their comparability...or rather, their contrast. Any fan can recall the ear cut-off torture scene with "Stuck in the Middle with You" by Stealers Wheel playing in the background, or Urge Overkill’s cover of Neil Diamond’s Latin-inspired “Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon” as the legendary Mia Wallace overdoses.

In the last year, the Dayglow paint party concept has grown from a staple student party to the international phenomenon we now know as Life in Color. Since its humble inception in 2006 at colleges around Florida, Life in Color has experienced exponential market dominance as the paint party took its talents to global metropolises such as Cancun, Melbourne and London. But the folks at host company Committee Entertainment will never forget their roots, as evidenced by Life in Color’s triumphant return to its hometown of Miami last Friday.

Gear up for an exciting weekend of fashion, Los Angeles! As the summer winds down, things are only heating up in the style world. We are happy to announce that exclusive clothing line PINK+DOLPHIN Co. and Interscope Recording Artist, Chief Keef, are pairing up to celebrate the fashion brand’s exciting grand opening of their LA-based flagship store. Evening events are scheduled to take place this Saturday, Aug. 25th from 11PM-2AM. True to the company's vision of representing exclusivity, this special occasion will mark the “I Don’t Like” rapper’s first ever Los Angeles-based performance.

Electric Zoo may think it has the market cornered for Labor Day Weekend festivities, but music mogul Jay-Z has other plans in mind. Last week, the rapper/producer announced his Made in America multi-genre music festival for the same weekend, to take place on the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. And with a lineup ranging from classic rock to electronic, what other place would be fit to host the festival besides the “City of Brotherly Love.”

The festival's first day of performers consists of Jay-Z, Skrillex, Miike Snow, Calvin Harris, Maybach Music Group (Feat. Rick Ross, Wale and Meek Mill), Passion Pit, Gary Clark Jr., D'Angelo, Dirty Projectors, Janelle Monae, Prince Royce, Michael Woods, Otto Knows and Savoy.

Rick Ross, dressed in his signature head to toe white threads, celebrated his 36th birthday at Club Amnesia in Miami over the weekend. The legendary rapper drew a swarm of fans along with some of the biggest names in hip hop including Dr. Dre, Diddy, Wiz Khalifa, Wale, and the LOX, amongst others. He was also joined by singer/producer Sean Garrett and former business manager and head of Poe Boy, E-Class. Guests enjoyed flowing bottles of Moet champage and, naturally, Ciroc Vodka (Diddy's brand), while listening to sets by DJ Camilo.

Speaking of, Diddy rolled up as expected with an entourage that included Cassie, his son Justin, and French Montana --the latest new artist to join Bad Boy Records. The highlight of the night was when Ross took to the stage for a live performance of his 'Holy Ghost' track which also features Diddy.

Although it's not yet December 31st, the countdown has already begun. The days are rapidly disappearing as you try to decide what to wear, where to go and who to celebrate with. We can't pick your clothes or your friends, but we can tell you where the hottest parties will be happening in Miami this New Year's Eve. (Click on venue name for more info and to reserve tickets + tables.)

Fontainebleau 4441 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33140-3227 The Fontainebleau is one of the most posh and popular party spots in Miami so naturally have booked some top talent for their NYE poolside bash. Swedish DJ Axwell, part of the Swedish House Mafia, will deliver an unforgettable, exclusive mix of house, electro and club music to welcome the New Year. The party lasts from 7PM to 2AM with premium open bar from 9-12. Tickets: general admission starts at $325 with private cabanas and stage-side tables costing five figures. Or, take the party inside to Fontainebleau's ulta-club LIV where Busta Rhymes and Sebastian Ingrosso will be helping you celebrate the new year. This is one of the most expensive and exclusive parties in Miami with general admission starting at $575 which includes admission and premium open bar from 9PM - midnight (the price drops to $375 after 1AM). There are tons of tables available both downstairs and on the mezzanine where you'll pop bottles of Belvedere and Dom Perignon for prices between 8 and 20 grand. The party will last until after the sun comes up again at 7AM. Tickets and tables can be booked here.

Arriving late Thursday night to a long line outside of Lavo, hand picking attendees to join in on the festivities. Making my way inside to the dance floor was a feat in itself, as the club was packed to the rims with the hottest hipsters New York City has to offer. One more trendier than the next, I slithered through the already toasty crowd, all donning a mixed drink in hand. All dressed to impress, party goers were dancing so wild there was barely an inch to move anywhere in the club.

Almost as if it were a cult following, all eyes turned to the DJ booth around 1am when the 1997 DMC World DJ Championship winner, A-Trak opened his set. Never disappointing, the turn-table genius gave the crowd an energetic and diverse tracklist that kept Lavo's walls pulsating until the wee hours of Friday morning. Playing remixes of songs by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Kid Cudi, along with a nod to mega DJ Avicii playing his 2011 club anthem Levels layering vocals by hip hop artists Rick Ross and Lil' Wayne kept the crowd guessing all night long. It didn't matter which track A-Trak decided to throw into the mix, the crowd jumped and sang along to every one.

The numbers are in for Wale's new album Ambition, and it's officially taken the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hip-Hop/R&B list with over 164,062 copies sold. He's also ranking in at #2 on the overall Top 200. Additionally, Ambition held the #1 spot at iTunes beating out Miranda Lambert, Florence + The Machine, and even Justin Bieber! The album features appearances from heavy hitters such as Kid Cudi, Big Sean, Ne-Yo, Jeremih, Miguel and Lloyd. Diplo and Lex Luger also lend their signature sound to tracks.

At this point it's comical how long we've been waiting for Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV to drop. However, Weezy decided it would nice to cool our heat heads and make amends with anxiously waiting fans by dropping a brand new mixtape, appropriately called Sorry For the Wait, and is scheduled to hit the net on July 13. This week he leaked a track of the tape called "Tunechi's Back," which samples the popular Meek Mill and Rick Ross song "Tupac's Back."

The beat is suitably Rick-Ross-eque, seething with synth-heavy beats, a thunderous cadence, and tripped out electro background noises. The track is nothing special, so we can only hope he's saving his dopest numbers for the official LP.

Weezy's full-length Tha Carter IV album is expected to drop on August 29, a day after the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards air live on August 28.

Dom Kennedy is on the forefront of hip-hop's leading up-and-coming rappers. Despite the fact that he has no big industry co-signs or a record deal in place, the Leimert Park native has an overwhelming fan base that extends throughout all corners of the country. It's been over a year since From the Westside, With Love dropped, which amassed over 10,000 downloads within the first hours of being released, and took Dom all across America and abroad, performing in places as far as Dijbouti, Africa.

The amazing response to his live shows ignited his ambitions to self-produce and he has released 5 independent record label studio albums since 2008. He has taken the underground hip-hop scene by storm and has been verbally endorsed by some of the game's top dogs, including Rick Ross, 9th Wonder, Justice League, Alchemist, Kenny Burns, Murs, and The Game, just to name a few. Today, Dom released the 18 song tracklist for From the Westside, With Love II, which drops tomorrow, as well as a letter to his fans via his blog.