Calling All Rappers: Problem x RapChat #S2Cypher Challenge

If there’s anything I love about Hip-Hop, it’s the style and confidence you create. With Hip-Hop you either have it or you don’t. You either can talk about it or you can bring it. And what’s a better way to show you encompass both than with a freestyle? In celebration of Compton’s own Problem releasing the highly anticipated S2 project, complete with #S2Cyphers interlaced throughout the project featuring upcoming LA rappers including Saviii 3rd, Nick Grant and Rucci. Now, Rostrum Records is partnering with RapChat to turn around the S2 cypher to the fans for an interactive competition that’s off to show who’s really got bars and something to say? Other than bragging rights from being hand selected by Problem and team as the best cypher, the winner will also get flown out to Los Angeles and shoot their own S2 video. Sounds dope, right? Get in the game here.

Peep the full contest info below and Problem’s call for rappers on the rise:

Celebrating My 29th Birthday At Paris! Dreams Come True

Paris has always been on my bucket list and making it happen for my 29th birthday was a dream come true! We had four days in the city and I wanted to highlight some of the most memorable experiences I had while exploring the Parisian streets. From the pastries (which I can finally confirm now, are REALLY the best) to the fashion, people-watching and historical sites, the magic of the city is definitely something I'll be coming back to again. Hopefully, my future bae will be able to propose to me in this magical and romantic city, because I would definitely say yes. LOL. Without further ado, here's my recommendations for those looking to enjoy a European getaway to the most romantic city in the world: 

HAVE A PICNIC AT THE EIFFEL TOWER

My favorite part of Paris is the people-watching. In the restaurants I would even notice that there would be more people on the patio rather than inside of the restaurant: Parisians really enjoy people-watching! In Paris, there's no rush, you truly experience the city and are present in the moment. During sunset, we enjoyed some crepes and wine with the views of the Eiffel Tower. There is a nearby crepe shop across from the fountains, Le Kiosque Des Fontaines, with sweet and savory crepes to enjoy while you're experiencing the sunset. Also, there are PLENTY of street vendors around selling champagne and beer. I would recommend haggling when buying from them, since a majority of them hike up the prices for tourists. I was able to get mine from 40 Euros to 8 Euros, because I'm cheap and a hustler. LOL. 

TAKE A LUNCH OR DINNER CRUISE ALONG THE SEINE RIVER

I cannot even express how necessary it is is experience this river cruise while you're in Paris. I would say this was probably Top 5 most magical moments of my life because I had the whole boat singing happy birthday to me while we were cruising along the Eiffel Tower. We purchased the Marina de Paris Seine River Cruise with 3-course meal through Paris City Vision for 41€ ($48) and it was a major highlight for the trip. For lunch we had a variety of choices including smoked salmon or a tasting plate of four starters. The main plate offered choices of roast chicken leg with parmesan risotto or cod loin fillet with asparagus cream (I'm getting hungry just reminiscing about this perfection). The dessert was also included the lunch which was your choice of all-chocolate sweet, fresh raspberries or a tasting plate composed of three desserts. Of course I had to take some pictures of the perfect plating: 

Exploring and Shopping at Champs-Élysées

For shopping in Paris, shopping at Champs-Elyees is a MUST. It's the Rodeo Drive of shopping in Paris and also has the flagship store of Louis Vuitton! Make sure you also stop by McDonald's for their macaroons. Wow, I never thought I'd say macaroons and McDonald's in the same sentence, but in Paris, it's LEGIT. 

McDonald's France takes their pastries seriously as well. So delicious! 

Enjoy the views from the top of Arc de Triomphe

I would recommend purchasing your tickets online for the Arc de Triomphe in order to skip the line. You can do that on their official website here.  Tickets are 12€ ($14) and the views are worth it. From the top of the panoramic terrace your eyes sweep over the whole of Paris. Fun Fact: This historical monument was also the key place for major national events including being inaugurated in 1836 by French King, Louis-Philippe, who dedicated it to the armies of the Revolution and the Empire.

The view from the top of Arc De Triomphe! So breathtaking! 

Experience sunset at the Lourve Museum

Lourve Museum during the sunset is magic. Formerly a royal palace, Louvre is the world's most visited museum and houses the iconic Mona Lisa. As with all the tours in Paris, make sure you book in advance! Summer is the busiest time in Paris, and I didn't get a chance to explore the museum, something to save for next time hopefully. Instead, I took this selfie in front of it while my parents were taking a pic: 

Enjoy a rendezvous at Moulin Rouge  

Not got lie, Moulin Rouge the movie, was how I learned my first French phrase and going to it was a special experience! The risqué world-famous cabaret has been around since 1900 and is the top visited cabaret performance in the world. You can enjoy the show or book a dinner and show for a special experience. Definitely one of the highlights of this trip. 

Travel Tips and Recommendations

• In Paris, hotel bookings go fast during the summer. I would recommend booking 6 months in advance to secure your spot because prices go up during the summer. I stayed at this gorgeous private residence in Maisons-Alfort, France for $61/night (it was about 20 minutes out of the city, but close by to the local subways)
• UBER is available in Paris! Rejoice! It make it super simple to get around the city. 
• The hop on-hop off bus in Paris made it easy to get to the main attractions including the Eiffel Tour, Notre Dame Cathedral, Lourve Museum and Champs-Elyees. It's a MUST for easy transportation to all the iconic spots to check out. 
• Paris is the top city for pick pocketing! Please always make sure your bag is in front of you and do not carry a backpack. I would recommend a fanny pack to be safe. 
• Paris people are bougie and many of them DO NOT speak English. Make sure to know common French phrases including thank you and where's the bathroom, which were the phrases that were super helpful. Here's a list of common phrases to know. 

Hip-Hop In Paris

I spent a good amount of my time finding out how big the hip-hop scene is in Paris. I love seeing and experiencing music in other cities, and the variety of music in Paris is eye-opening. Here's my favorite songs I Shazamed:  

Caballero & JeanJass - Toujours les mêmes ft. Krisy

Santana - Alonzo

Thanks for the beautiful memories, Paris! Did I miss anything on this list? If there are any of the beaten spots you'd recommend, let me know below. 

XO,
Lainney

When In Tokyo, Here Are The Top Things To Do

Japan has always fascinated me. I feel like Japan in general is just always a few steps ahead in the game, whether it’s technology or fashion they always have it down on lock. Two things stood out to me in Tokyo: their kindness and their fearlessness. Japanese people are overly friendly and polite. Also, their creativeness and thoughtfulness in simple things like architecture and fashion was refreshing. Oftentimes, in America, I feel we hold ourselves back from crazy, with Japan, the more crazy you are, the better. Needless to say, I felt right at home.

My first trip to Tokyo was similar to Anthony Bourdain’s experience: “When I first went to Japan, it was an explosive event for me. It changed my life in very real ways. I went to Tokyo the first time and my head kind of exploded. I compared it to taking my first acid trip: Nothing was ever the same.” Indeed, experiencing Japan was a whirlwind of adventure. If you’re headed to Tokyo for the first time here are the top things you need to do:

Experience Cherry Blossoms At A National Park

The best time to visit Japan is during springtime, during late March and early April, when cherry blossom is in full bloom. The Cherry Blossom festival is all about appreciating the temporal beauty of nature. I would recommend going to a national park to experience it in all its glory. Families typically enjoy the beauty of sakura (cherry blossoms) with food, drinks and friends. Having a nice picnic under the cherry blossom trees is something simple yet unforgettable. Recommendation: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 

Harajuku Shopping

The love for streetwear is real in Tokyo. They embrace hip-hop fully and you can tell in their fashion. Harajuku was a hypebeast dream: BAPE, Undefeated, Billionaire Boys Club are must-visits. What’s great about these spots is they typically have merch that’s exclusively for Japan. This means that when you go back to the States no one will be rocking what you’re rocking and that feeling is basically magical and indescribable. Other favorite stores included Funktique, which is the vintage shop of Coco Princess’s mom. If you don’t know Coco Princess, she’s basically the swaggest 6-year old you’ll ever come across. For 80's and 90's vintage vibes Pin Nap and Candy Stripper were top favorites with Kicks Lab being the go-to choice for sneakers. Harajuku will take all your money! Be prepared.

Bar hopping in Golden Gai

Golden gai is a line of tiny drinking dens hidden in the heart of Shinjuku. Each bar has its own vibe and feel which can range from the 80s vibes of Kenzo’s Bar or an art lover’s paradise in Albatross complete with art exhibits of photographs, paintings, illustrations, etc. Note: Tipping isn’t necessary in Tokyo. Japanese workers are decently paid and good service is standard, which is why tipping is often considered rude and sometimes offensive.

Play arcade games in Shibuya

Japanese people take their arcade games seriously. Just imagine the noise and colors of a Las Vegas casino, it’s like that but with more anime. I would recommend Sega in the Akihabara district. There are 4 levels with each floor dedicate to a different game. There’s modern arcade games, music/rhythm games, online and card games, VR games and so much more. Each game is typically 100 to 400 Yen.

Walking Shibuya crossing: World’s Busiest Pedestrian Crossing  

Nothing says, “Welcome to Tokyo!” better than experiencing the busiest intersection of the world. Shibuya crossing is right in front of the Shibuya Station Hachiko exit and stops vehicles from all directions to allow pedestrians to cross the intersection. The best time to go would be during Friday or Saturday night so that you can experience it at its busiest with the city lights illuminating the perfect backdrop. For a more scenic view of the crossing, you can head to the 2nd floor of Starbucks which is directly across from the crossing. Shibuya Crossing is Tokyo in a nutshell: Lights. People. Chaos. Supposedly, there are hundreds of pedestrians crossing with over 2,000 people crossing the intersection during peak hours!

Experience nightlife in Shinjuku

Oh man. Where do I even begin with this one? There are so many places to go in Shinjuku, depending on your music preference. If you’re into hip-hop checking out HARLEM is a must. The coolest people in Tokyo are here, and they dance like there’s no tomorrow. Seriously, I was impressed. Entrance for ladies is 1000 Yen but includes a drink. Worth it.

Side story: Did I tell you about the time I had a Big Pun angel save me? My friends and I ended up going to the wrong venue and ended up lost in Harajuku. The streets were empty, it was midnight. From the darkness, the swaggest Japanese teenager came up walking on the street. He was smoking a cigarette. He was wearing a “Big Pun” vintage tee. We asked him for directions and he helped us find where we needed to go. At the end of the night, we ended up at HARLEM. And we were reunited with Big Pun angel on the dance floor.

Visit An Owl Cafe

Where can you spend an hour holding and petting owls? Only in Japan! During a day trip in Harajuku we ended up going off a beaten path and ended up the Akihabara district to visit the infamous Owl Cafe. When you enter, you’re told simple instructions in Japanese such as no flash photography, no sudden movements, etc. After cleaning your hands you follow a pathway of trees, with each section of the path designated for a specific owl. Each owl had their own personality, some looked happy while some looked like you were interrupting their sleep. They are so cute! Truly one of my favorite experiences during my Tokyo trip.

Day-trip to Mt. Fuji

What’s great about Japan is that in the hustle and bustle of everything, there’s always a shrine or park nearby. The Japanese truly value nature and serenity so balancing your trip with a visit to iconic landscapes such as Mt. Fuji is a must. The Mt. Fuji adventure is a full-day trek so I would recommend going on a tour such as the ones offered through Japanican. Pricing is 14,500 Yen which is about $133 USD and includes a trip to Mt. Fuji’s 5th station, a cruise on Lake Ashi and a ride on the Komagatake Ropeway, which is ideal for photo opportunities of the views surrounding Hakone National Park. Note: Remember to go when the weather is ideal. Because you’re elevated, the temperature can get cold so remember to pack warmly!

Honorable mention:

• Robot Restaurant - I’ve heard so many amazing things about this spot, but didn’t get a chance to go. I’m serious, there are SO many things to do in Japan! The robot restaurant is a themed restaurant/bar featuring a pop-culture show with robotic monsters, dancers and lasers. Make sure to book in advance to save your spot. I’m going to have to make a trip to Tokyo again just to experience this! 

Things I wish I knew before going to Japan:

• Language barrier is real. The farther out you go in the city, the less likely they’re able to speak English. If you’re taking a taxi, I would recommend writing the address down and showing it to the driver.

• Get a pocket WiFi and portable charger. Exploring Japan required lots of Google mapping, so make sure you’re juiced up and ready to go!

• Buy a Suica card. This saves you time when moving from city to city. Japan’s has the most amazing subway system and if you get lost, there are helpful subway officers to assist you

• When walking on the street, walk on the left side. The left side is specifically for pedestrians the right side is for bicyclists.

• The trains stop at specific times at night, so if you plan on going out, prepare to take a taxi with a friend or leave when the last train runs. The trains always run on time. Always.

If you're planning for an international adventure keep in mind Tokyo will be hosting the Summer Olympics 2020. 😉 Have you been to Tokyo? If I missed any spots, comment below and let me know! 

xo,
Lainney

Tres Waves Film Premiere Ft. Lainney Dizon

I absolutely love collaborating for creative projects that inspire me to step my game up. Recently, I had the pleasure to work with film director Larry Rodriguez of Looming Bear Productions in a short film titled Tres Waves. Tres Waves is a series of short stories featuring Los Angeles creatives.

My story, Ratchet Rampage, features a situation we can all relate to: getting parking ticket. The scene opens up in Studio City, where I find out that I parked in a 'no-parking' zone and transitions to me dancing angrily in a warehouse. The scene then goes to me finding peace and serenity at the beach and transitions to flames within a bonfire. Special thanks to my talented producer friends Dakota and V Fresh for providing the dope instrumentals to this fun scene. Watch the feature below: 

A special thank you Larry for allowing me to share my art and dance in this film and thank you to all my close friends and family who came out to support last night at The Colony Theatre! I'm truly blessed to be surrounded by creative and passionate individuals. Check out Looming Bear Productions for upcoming showcases and projects. 

Dizon Dreams Share the Importance of Filipino Culture in Food and Family with Buttermilk Co.

Special thanks to Zoila for allowing Dizon Dreams to be a part of Buttermilk Co's #JustLikeMoms social campaign. 

 Buttermilk Co, a cultural food tech brand based in Seattle started by Mitra Raman, is honoring women and their mothers this Women's History Month through a simple Instagram campaign called #JustLikeMoms. Mitra is the first generation daughter of an Indian immigrant so we are focusing on the relationship between women, their moms and their culture through food. Read on as we share the importance of Filipino culture in our food and family: 

We're born and raised in LA, but our parents came here in the 1980s to find jobs and create a better future together. Filipinos are very food-orientated, so cooking traditional dishes is so important in passing along our family's culture and traditions.

My favorite memory was cooking banana-q with my mom, a fried banana dessert. Also, during the holidays we make lumpia, a traditional Filipino dish. Our auntie usually cooks us pancit or spaghetti during our birthdays because long noodles symbolize a long life. It's a tradition :).

We love cooking! We usually go to an Asian supermarket to get all our ingredients. When we have food traditions it makes me happy to be blessed to have a culture that celebrates food and family and community. These dishes give me feelings of happiness, contentment and joy. I love food and family.

Genius & Dropbox Present Visual Art Exhibit ‘Lyrics To Life’

The world needs your creative energy.

Music to me is more than just a melody, it's a way of life, a culture and a feeling that can move and inspire others. Art in it's most meaningful form is meant to create and inspire more art. That's why when Genius invited me to peep the upcoming "Lyrics To Life," in collaboration with Dropbox, I knew I had to come through and support. 

"Lyrics To Life," showcases original works of art from renowned visual artists inspired by iconic lyrics across different genres. Among my favorite art installations of the event featured Notorious B.I.G.'s iconic "Juicy" lyrics: 

It was all a dream
I used to read Word Up Magazine
Salt N Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hanging pictures on my wall

Graffiti artist TYPOE remixed old school play block letters to bring viewers into what he described as "a state of childhood. A state where we didn't limit our dreams and our potential. There was less fear and more openness." 

Photo credit: Dropbox 

Fashion designer Peggy Noland interpreted Nicki Minaj's "Moment 4 Life" lyrics: 

In this very moment, I’m king
In this very moment, I slayed Goliath with a sling

Peggy highlighted the unlikely nature of success by showcasing a modern day David vs. Goliath scene complete with a Queen scene lips couch and slingshot aimed at Goliath. My favorite piece of this was the colors and vibrant attitude towards the monster. Oftentimes, it seems as creative artists, we think our trials rob us of our joy but it's in the perspective and attitude of our struggle that really causes us to be victorious no matter the situation.  

Photo credit: Mariafini 

Plexi Art Queen Melfinia, interpreted Radiohead's popular 1993 hit, "Creep":

But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t belong here

Melfinia took viewers on a sweet escape with a room themed in the 90's. She explains, "In times of distress I would comfort myself by creating my own alternate reality. In this alternate space that I was able to heal, combining natural elements like plants and crystals, to draw positive energy from.” As an artist, solitude is oftentimes, the greatest thing that helps us recharge and reimagine our vision. This room was a favorite for me because it made me realize how as a kid, I had the space of being able to write in my journal, AIM with bae or just listen to music on my iPod, pre-social media era. There's happiness in stillness and imagination. 

Other visual artists featured include rapper/filmmaker Amine, L.A-based artist Devin Troy Strother, Mokibaby and Nitemind with lyrics inspired by The Notorious B.I.G., Tame Impala, Nicki Minaj, Sia and Animal Collective. Follow the story across social with #LyricsToLife or visit the interactive art exhibit in DTLA's Art District. 

Lyrics to Life is open to the public from March 2-5. As of this writing, tickets are still available for Sunday, March 4 and Monday, March 5. Check ticket availability here.