Fat Joe

Then there's Fat Joe who made a righteous appearance (he was on the marquee for the show later) with his new '02 Escalade that had all the right A/V equip (at least from the outside view - we didn't get inside), and wearing what looked like 23's without a ruler, shiny like a mirror. I heard a rumor the entertainment inside is tight, tight with installs by Audio Designs of Fort Lee (going 20 years strong on creative audio install). I'm waiting on the confirm from Joe's camp and maybe even a story on his love for rides, so stay tuned. After all, Joe is one of the original people in hip-hop to really represent love for audio installs on the street; he is known for setting this trend proper. Rumor has it that he's got a spit new 600, too. Something more to look for in a later issue, maybe my editor will give me the green light!

The crowd-pleaser car club seemed to be The Cash Money Records C.C., featuring Baby's favorites. Cash Money crew must have the long funds; most of their entries were stretch customs: Lexus stretch, Expedition Limo stretch, and the PT stretch. The real eye popper was a purple-dusted, wet-looking PT Cruiser in a long body, doing double duty as a working limo and eye candy. I heard on Flex's show that Baby and the CMR C.C. have their own shows down in the South that are off the chain! I think Car Audio needs a heads up about those. Who's handling PR? Let a fan know!

The wild wheels of the show were Davin!!! That's the spinning wheels - drive up to a stop and the wheels continuously spin on the inside. Distributed by gang of believers, including Sprewell Racing, these are going to hit the streets hard. The only problem is no one could tell me who was representing Davin in New York and, like the rest of the show, details and information were hard to come by. Either way, if you are hearing me, call me at Car Audio, we need to do a special with you all! This kind of product is both the future of hip-hop and auto enthusiasts' way of life.

I heard about, but did not see, Funkmaster Flex's stable of muscle and classics ranging from 60's-70's. I need to hear from you Flex. A Delta Ninety-Eight? Trick and cherry and detailed down, I heard, Dayton's or Vogues... We need some stats, photos, specs, let me know! Funkmaster Flex with a classic and worked-out audio installs that can handle hip-hop EQ's!?! I feel a full feature story in the making. How about it R-O (a.k.a. my boss)?

An unexpected curiosity was a '94 Tahoe with a '02 Lac [Cadillac-Ed.] grill from the team at Auto Exclusive out in Ardsley, New York. The truck sports a sexy moon-glow-blue-purple-haze that completely belies the audio smack in your face. I did notice a Panasonic DVD and A/V install in this and other contestants, but wait....the real smack is the skull theme throughout, with what I think was a real skull used in the install! [Asia jokes-Ed.]

We're mad that we missed a lot of the imports downstairs (hey, how about a program next time?). That place was spread out like L.A. and the action was hot, hot, hot upstairs; so it was hard to tear away to give all the competitors justice. Next time, grab me if you see me in my Car Audio shirt. We heard there was a wild import with a deejay turntable set up and kitted into the back of the car. We need to see that, too! Our apologies to that car audio enthusiast/turntablist. If you read this please send us photos. I think you're onto something. If it's creative then we want it in the mag. (For everyone I've called out contact me at the following number: 212-642-8028.)

There were several imports, classics and lowrides that I know must have won prizes at other car shows. At times the OG car show true schoolers were overshadowed by all the hip-hop glamour and excess, but since I got into the love from the classic rides, I have to pay homage to all the love and care that went into ALL the cars.