DUB Magazine Issue 65

LUXURY & EXOTICS | TRUCKS & SUVS | LOWRIDERS | MOTORCYCLES

CAR CULTURE

NELLY’S widebody MUSTANG gt 5.0

NELLY cypress hill TONY HAWK BUCKY LASEK ANDY MACDONALD

N O I P HAM

C A F NO

IO T U L EVO

MAR/APR 2010

DETROIT DUB SHOW

@ THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

LUXURY & EXOTICS | TRUCKS & SUVS | LOWRIDERS | MOTORCYCLES

BERNARD HOPKINS CYPRESS HILL TONY HAWK + BUCKY LASEK & ANDY MACDONALD world premiere EXCLUSIVE!

ON LOCATION

DETROIT AUTO SHOW

DUB EDITION EDITION WIDEBODY WIDEBO WID ODY

FORD MUSTANG GT MAR/APR 2010

DUB COVERS THE NAIAS

LUXURY & EXOTICS | TRUCKS & SUVS | LOWRIDERS | MOTORCYCLES

ON LOCATION

DUB SHOW INVADES DETROIT

CAR CULTURE

B DU

DY O EB ID NW O I T EDI

D R O F

GT G N A T S MU

MAR/APR 2010

NS I K OP H RD HILL+ A N S K & D BEYRPRES AWSEK NAL H C NY Y LA DO TOUCK MAC B NDY A

LUXURY & EXOTICS | TRUCKS & SUVS | LOWRIDERS | MOTORCYCLES

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CA

DING N A T S

LD A N G GT O N A D T CTOM MUS A M Y CUS D ’ N I NIR SMOK A + K & THE E S A L Y K BUC

KS PAR E T A R SK O F UP

PLUlSy nelill h S s s e IN r cypD HOPKroitE! tH MOR AR w de N R C BE sho & MU dub

LUXURY & EXOTICS | TRUCKS & SUVS | LOWRIDERS | MOTORCYCLES

NELLY’S widebody MUSTANG gt 5.0 E

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NS I K P O SEK H D R A KY LA LD N R E C B PLUSAWK + BU ACDONA H NDY M Y N TO &A

DUB MAGAZINE ISSUE 65 MAR/APR 2010 CONTENTS

26

NELLY AND HIS 2011 DUB EDITION 5.0 MUSTANG GT

10

INTAKE

12

FRESH

18

GREEN STREETS

20

VOLUME

30

ON LOCATION

• JKS POWER AND LB PERFORMANCE • WHEEL GUIDE • 2010 DETROIT AUTO SHOW GREEN CARS • HONDA’S NEW SOLAR HYDROGEN STATION

• ALPINE, PIONEER, JVC, PHOENIX GOLD, JL AUDIO, MB QUART, ROCKFORD FOSGATE, MOTEVO MOBILE, AUTO PAGE • 2010 NAIAS • DETROIT DUB SHOW

36

BERNARD HOPKINS EXECUTION AND EVOLUTION

46

TIARRA GRILLES FIT FOR ROYALTY

When the crafstsmen at Fesler Built Custom Car wanted their show-stopping Camaro to actually STOP - they turned to Baer.

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Baer direct OE-replacement brake pads & rotors are available for most late model domestic cars & trucks up through 1-ton, as well as many popular Euro & Asian applications in Baer's DecelaPad & DecelRotor lines.

For details about how Baer should be stopping you, call us toll free at: (888) 828-9087 or visit www.baer.com

EDITOR’S NOTES

DUB PUBLISHING, INC. LOS ANGELES : WORLDWIDE Myles Kovacs | Publisher | myles@dubmagazine.com Haythem Haddad | Editor/Creative Director | haythem@dubmagazine.com

“Remember kid, there’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die. Follow your heart, kid, and you’ll never go wrong.” –The Babe, The Sandlot

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

While putting Issue 65 together, we noticed a unifying theme with our features…legends. This immediately conjured up the scene where The Babe talks to Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez about tackling “The Beast” head on during a dream in the classic baseball cult film, The Sandlot.

He tells the young, promising baseball player the difference between heroes and legends, which we can’t help but see a similar connection with Bernard Hopkins, Tony Hawk, Andy Mac, Bucky Lasek, Nelly and his Ford Mustang GT 5.0 and Cypress Hill.

Ford is on top of their game with the reintroduction of their popular 5.0 Mustang GT that emerged in the ’90s, but was later phased out until recently when soon-to-be hip-hop legend Nelly spoke up about its greatness. ’Stang enthusiasts, and muscle car fanatics alike, can now rejoice that the legendary 5.0 is back in full effect (but with a few added upgrades included in Nelly’s widebody, fully DUB modded version). Nelly will go down in Mustang history as the man who helped bring back the legendary car.

In the boxing world, Bernard Hopkins may be a veteran of the sport at 45, but he’s far from hanging up his gloves. The fight is still strong within this champion, who is the oldest fighter to hold a title in the middleweight division. With perseverance in his heart and an eye on the prize, Hopkins’ career is what defines legends in the sport.

Tony Hawk has helped take skateboarding to unimagined heights and is now giving back with his annual Stand Up for Skateparks event that funds his efforts to build quality skateparks in communities that need them the most. What he has done for the sport is legendary along with his cohorts Bucky Lasek and Andy MacDonald, both of which are contributing to the sport’s upward progression.

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 TRANSPORTATION OPERATORS Andrew “Old Skol” Canales Mark Dyck / Daniel Serna

Finally, Cypress Hill are west coast legends and highly respected hip hop veterans. After a six-year break from recording, Sen Dog and B-Real are back on the block and ready to pick up where they last left off with their new album, Rise Up. With a new school twist to classic Cypress Hill joints, the guys are saying f*ck the fads of today’s music, creating their own unique sound and transcending what is considered “hot” in mainstream hip hop.

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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Greg B / AJ Mueller / Kristian Dowling / Adrian Sidney Michael Vincent / Patrick Daly / R. Pinson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tito Ruiz / Kristopher Ku / DeAnne DeLuna

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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

INTAKE@DUBMAGAZINE.COM

THE BOSS Rick Ross is seriously making moves now. He’s come a long way since the last time you featured him when he was fresh off his Trilla album.

His new group, Triples C’s, is bangin’, so hopefully, his Maybach Music Group label comes out with more hot sh*tt like that. Big props to Miami’s Boss Man! Diego W. Via e-mail Rick Ross is making moves, Diego, and it’s to the music h stuff t ff h industry’s advantage! All of the he comes out with is hot, so you can expect everything that he releases from Maybach Music Group will be the same. Ross is taking his moniker of being the Big Boss Man to a whole other level, and we can’t wait to see what comes out of his camp. One thing for sure is that we won’t be disappointed!

DARK KNIGHT

THE DOGG’S IN CHARGE Snoop becoming Priority Records’ Creative Chairman is the best news in music I’ve heard for a while. I seriously can’t wait for him to resurrect West Coast music.

It’s about time the West starts to represent in the music game again, and Snoop is just the man to do it! I’m also diggin’ his Malice N Wonderland album ‘cause it perfectly blends old school Snoop with a newer sound. It’s like a reinvented Snoop, and it doesn’t get any better than that!

Jorge Z. Via e-mail We can’t argue that Snoop being named Priority Records’ Creative Chairman is an awesome thing for West Coast music and the whole music industry in general, Jorge. Snoop is an icon and legend here on the West Coast, and we couldn’t think of anybody better to take on the responsibility of putting West Coast music back on the map! If his Malice N Wonderland album is any indication of what he’ll be releasing on Priority Records, then all of us are in for some serious hits!

KILLER ART The Killer Kreations crew is coming out with some fire! I first saw their work when they were with you guys at the Philly Auto Show last year. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such precise work as Fred Sicoli’s; the man has mad talent! If I had a bike, I’d definitely have him do the artwork on it. If he comes out with a TV show or clothing line, I’ll sport his gear for sure.

Jase215 Via e-mail

Man, the Street Concepts Elite Continental GT Speed you have on the cover of Issue 64 is haaawwwt! That Premier 4509 Bentley widebody kit really makes the car, as well as the matte-black paint scheme. I’m thinking of trying out that matte-black on my own ride since it’s becoming so popular right now. The owner is a very lucky dude! Are you guys gonna be featuring cars by themselves on the cover from now on? How can I get on the cover?

Fred Sicoli is like the Michelangelo of airbrushing to us. We’ve never seen such precision and detail on bikes such as his before either. We can just imagine all the compliments the owners of the bikes he has painted get.

He’s really gifted and talented, and we wish him all the best with all his future business endeavors. We’ll e ll also be watching his TV show if it comes out, but until then, we’ll keep ya posted on any more of his a amazing work!

J.P. Mitchell Via e-mail The Bentley is definitely one fine ride and quite a piece of eye candy, J.P. We couldn’t stop starring at the pictures when we were putting the magazine together...that’s how much we’re in awe of it. You should definitely go through with using the matte-black paint scheme on your ride. It will give your ride a whole new look. And, yes, look out for more cars on the cover.

Hey, maybe after you do that matte-black paint, you can send us images to consider for the cover! Send images and info to intake@dubmagazine.com!

10 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

YOUR CHOICE OF SIGNS MENS, GIRLS & KIDS DESIGNS

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

EXCLUSIVE IMPORTS FROM JKS POWER AND LB PERFORMANCE

JKS Power has been in the business of modifying specialty cars for more than 10 years and now has a new retail facility in the Bronx, New York. Their knowledge of servicing and modifying luxury and exotics, such as Lamborghini, Range Rover, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche and BMW, makes them one of the few high-end custom tuners on the East Coast. JKS Power will also be working with a few selected dealers throughout the country, allowing customers to choose JKS products as options on their new or pre-owned exotics and luxury vehicles, all under the dealer’s warranty.

They are the exclusive US importer and distributor for top high-end brands, including 9ff, Onyx Concept and many more, as well as the highly

exclusive LB Performance line.

Hailing from Japan, LB Performance has created some stunning visual modifications for Lamborghini’s Murciélago and Gallardo that are aimed at making the exterior on both exotics a lot more aggressive without disrupting their already superior styling cues. Each of their kits is made of the finest materials out of their factory in Japan, with customers having a wide array of styling performance parts to pick and choose from.

The selection ranges from front spoilers, side skirts, rear wings, performance wheels and even a custom air suspension kit for both Murciélago and Gallardo applications. In the performance category, they have engineered a “muffler cutter,” which

basically turns the Murciélago singular central exhaust into a dual-exhaust unit capable of gains that register 25 more horsepower. This, combined with a JKS Power ECU tuning program, provides impressive power gains.

WWW.JKSPOWER.COM | LBPERFORMANCE.JP

12 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

nd u o S A ix

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GFG WHEELS

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15 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

REVENGE VERDE SUPERCAR Revenge’s Verde Supercar may be green in color, but it also features “green” attributes that make the supercar more environmentally friendly. Among the mid-engined Verde’s supercar features are

three drivechain and powertrain options, with one that runs on E-85 ethanol fuel, which significantly reduces green house gas emissions.

According to Peter Collorafi, the CEO/President of Revenge Design

Inc., the Verdes boasts 400 horsepower, achieves 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 200 mph, while achieving an amazing 100 mpg for a supercar.

CADILLAC XTS PLATINUM CONCEPT 2010 DETROIT AUTO SHOW GREEN CARS

The XTS Platinum Concept hints what the replacement to the STS and the DTS luxury sedans will look like. It showcases Cadillac’s emerging top-of-the-line Platinum series of models, emphasizing

new expressions of luxury and technological features, including a plug-in hybrid propulsion system.

The plug-in system operates at maximum efficiency when operating on power the battery

has drawn from the electric grid.

In some conditions, such as urban commutes, drivers can experience efficiency that doubles that of conventional hybrids.

AUDI E-TRON ELECTRIC SUPERCAR Audi showed off a second electric supercar prototype just a few months after the E-Tron debuted in Frankfurt and Los Angeles, but this one was a bit smaller. Audi says that “E-Tron” will be the name for

a family of electric cars — hopefully to gain the same kind of resonance as “quattro” and “TDI.” Two asynchronous electric motors with a total output of 204 hp give the car the performance of a genuine sports

car. The concept car can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds if necessary, and goes from to 37.28 – 74.56 mph in 5.1 seconds.

TOYOTA FT-CH HYBRID CONCEPT The FT-CH concept addresses Toyota’s stated strategy to offer a wider variety of conventional hybrid choices as it begins to introduce plug-in hybrids (PHVs) and battery electrics (BEVs) in 2012,

and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) in 2015 in global markets.

The CH stands for compact hybrid as in compact class and it’s a concept that can best be defined by comparing it with the mid-size

class Prius. The FT-CH captures the spirit and functionality of a car that thrives in the innercity environment; sized right to be nimble, responsive and maneuverable.

2011 HONDA CR-Z SPORT HYBRID COUPE Set to go on sale later this year, the CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda’s compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system. The i-VTEC system controls the opening

HONDA UNVEILS NEW SOLAR HYDROGEN STATION Honda’s next generation solar hydrogen stations that it’s currently developing is intended for ultimate use as a home refueling appliance capable of an overnight refill of fuel cell electric vehicles. It’s designed as a single, integrated unit so that it fits in the user’s garage while still producing enough hydrogen (0.5kg) via an 8-hour overnight fill for daily commuting (10,000 miles per year) for a fuel cell electric vehicle. Designed for simple, user-friendly operation, the

18 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

intuitive system layout enables the user to easily lift and remove the fuel hose, with no hose coiling when the hose is returned to the dispenser unit.

and closing of one intake valve per cylinder to enhance combustion at low rpms. The 10-kilowatt electric motor assists in acceleration and also acts as a generator during braking or coasting to capture

kinetic energy that recharges the 100-volt IMA nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gasoline engine can automatically turn off during vehicle stops to improve efficiency.

THE ULTIMATE POWER UPGRADE HIGH-FLOW INTAKE SYSTEMS Guaranteed Horsepower Improved Throttle Response Won’t Void Factory Warranties

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Cadillac Escalade Chevy Silverado 1500 Chevy Silverado 1500 Chevy Tahoe Chrysler 300C Dodge Charger Dodge Ram 1500 Ford F150 Ford F150 Ford Mustang GT Honda Accord Infiniti G35 Jeep Grand Cherokee Nissan Altima

2005-06 2005-06 1999-04 2000-04 2005-07 2006-07 2003-07 2004-07 1997-03 2005-06 2003-06 2003-06 1999-04 2004-06

6.0L 4.8L, 5.3L 4.8L, 5.3L 4.8L, 5.3L 5.7L, 6.1L 5.7L, 6.1L 5.7L 5.4L 4.6L, 5.4L 4.6L 3.0L 3.5L 4.0L 2.5L

57-3050 57-3050 57-3021-1 57-3023-1 57-1542 57-1542 57-1533 57-2556 57-2541 57-2565 69-1207TP 69-7080-1TS 57-1526 69-7060TS

+11.92 hp +11.92 hp +9.11 hp +15.17 hp +21.09 hp +21.09 hp +10.49 hp +15.47 hp +13.12 hp +15.26 hp +10.4 hp +9.5 hp +7.73 hp +7.04 hp

Part number and vehicle specific horsepower data shown, results will vary for other models.

Look up what’s available for your car at knfilters.com/dub

1.800.437.1304 ext. 2053

©2010 K&N Engineering, Inc.

KNFILTERS.COM/DUB

ALPINE WWW.ALPINE-USA.COM

INA-W900 ALL-IN-ONE AUDIO/VIDEO/NAVIGATION RECEIVER 7-inch WVGA touchscreen with 1.15 million-pixel technology for superior image clarity; OnPoint Advanced GPS Positioning delivers highly accurate navigation with voice-guided instruction; New GuideView Window feature shows next navigation maneuver within the audio screen; 4 hard buttons on unit’s outer frame gives fast access to most-used functions (source, audio, map and navi); and can integrate HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth devices, camera systems and more (options extra). MSRP is $1,100.

iDA-X305S DIGITAL MEDIA RECEIVER Built-in support for Pandora iPhone app; high-speed USB connection provides superior, pure digital sound from an iPod or iPhone; high-resolution 2.2-inch TFT color display can show song, album, artist information and album art; Quick Search function makes searching large music libraries fast and easy; and can connect to HD Radio with iTunes Tagging, satellite radio, Bluetooth devices and more (options extra). MSRP is $400.

SWR-1243D 12-INCH DUAL 4-OHM SUBWOOFER Redesigned for cleaner, deeper bass with great low frequency extension and clarity; shallower mounting depth (6.375 inches) for more installation flexibility; High-Amplitude Multi Roll (HAMR) engineering delivers cooler operation and longer life; and CEA-2031 speaker ratings of 600-Watt max RMS, 1,800-Watt peak power. MSRP is $220.

PDX-M12 DIGITAL MONO POWER AMPLIFIER Redesigned for ultimate sound quality, power performance and reliability; stackable compact design is 20 percent thinner than previous models; averages above 90 percent efficiency at all power levels; thermal protection circuit reduces power when necessary to keep music playing under acute heat/load conditions; and exceptionally high damping factor for outstanding speaker control and linearity. MSRP is $900.

SPR-13S 5.25-INCH COMPONENT 2-WAY SPEAKER Warm midrange, powerful bass input and bright, crisp sound reproduction; hybrid layeredpulp with mica coating woofer cone and 1-inch ring tweeter; external network design with 7-level tweeter adjustment allows for precise tuning; fast, easy installation with a shallower mounting depth and basket design; and CEA-2031 speaker ratings of 100-Watt max RMS, 300-Watt peak power handling, with nominal impedance of 3.6 Ohm. MSRP is $280.

PIONEER WWW.PIONEERELECTRONICS.COM

AVIC-X920BT SOURCE UNIT AM/FM radio, DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3/WMA/AAC/DivX receiver with GPS navigation; 6.1-inch fixed widescreen TFT LCD touchscreen with new 3D interface and customizable home menu; easy-to-use navigation, featuring turn-by-turn guidance, detailed maps and voice-activated navigation; MusicSphere technology creates unique mood-based playlists via iTunes for your iPod, iPod Touch or iPhone device; and can take incoming calls with built-in Bluetooth and dial contacts via voice commands. MSRP is $1,349.

“GM DIGITAL” SERIES CLASS-D GM-D9500F AMPLIFIER Improved electrical and thermal efficiencies, allowing the amplifiers to produce the same power output as conventional amplifiers more than double their physical size; dynamic, balanced sound quality combined with high power output, all in an extremely compact chassis; and black, aluminum die-cast heat sinks and a hairline silver aluminum top plate for maximum heat dissipation and produces 75-Watts X 4. MSRP is $269.

TS-SW3001S2/S4 SUBWOOFER 12-inch interlaced basalt/carbon fiber reinforced IMPP cone woofer; 1,500-Watt max power; 400-Watt nominal; 3-layer fiber woven radial surround; and unique design with just 3-1/4inch mounting depth. MSRP is $220.

AVH-P3200BT VIDEO MONITOR Built-in Bluetooth; 5.8-inch widescreen display; DVD Video, DivX, MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC playback; iPod Direct Control (CD-IU50V Required); and SD Card Slot. MSRP is $499.

JVC WWW.MOBILE.JVC.COM/ARSENAL.JSP

KW-NT3HDT AV NAVIGATION HD Radio Traffic & News Service with real-time traffic conditions, fuel prices and weather; StreetDirector Assistant, which is the latest P.O.I. data obtained from Google maps; built-in Bluetooth wireless technology; detachable face panel; and variable Color Illumination with 30,000 colors that are available by RGB combination. MSRP is $1,299.95.

KS-AR9501D AMPLIFIER A slightly curved main unit for smooth design with multiple installation options; JVC logo’d plate can be attached in four different ways for flexible settings; cascade stacking allows for pairing of multiple amps and is useful for external bridging; max power pre-output of 1,800-Watts; and frequency response is 20-300Hz (0, -3dB). MSRP is $649.95.

CS-AW8240 SUBWOOFER 12-inch subwoofer with 3,000-Watt max./1,000-Watt nominal music power; dual-input 4 Ohm voice coil; frequency range of 20-500Hz; and made of paper and 10 percent Hemp Drive Cone with Kevlar and Hemp Laminated Cone. MSRP is $419.95.

20 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

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JL AUDIO WWW.JLAUDIO.COM

XD 600/6 AMPLIFIER Full-range, Class-D 3/4/5/6 Channel amplifier in an ultra-compact design; 6 x 100-Watt @ 2 Ohms per ch., 6 x 75W @ 4 Ohms per ch.; NexD Technology provides audiophile-grade performance with exceptional efficiency; has fully variable crossover filters and remote level control capability (control sold separately); and noise-killing differential-balanced inputs. MSRP is $549.95.

C3-650 CONVERTIBLE COMPONENT SYSTEMS Converts from coaxial to component system in seconds; oversized 1.2-inch woofer voice coils for superior power handling; pure silk dome tweeter for smooth, accurate high frequency response; programmable outboard crossover networks with tweeter and mid-range presence controls; and DMA-Optimized motors for superior mid-bass and linearity. MSRP is $449.95.

12WX SUBWOOFER 12-inch subwoofer long excursion; DMA-optimized motor system; Elevated Frame Cooling technology; highly linear suspension; and power handling of 200-Watt RMS. MSRP is $129.95.

PHOENIX GOLD WWW.PHOENIXGOLD.COM

TI12D SUBWOOFER Power handling of 600-Watt RMS/ 1,200-Watt peak; dual, high-temperature OFC copper voice coils; woven spider tinsel leads; nickel plated 12-ga. speaker terminal; and rigid, powdercoated castbasket. MSRP is $300.

MB QUART UART WWW.MBQUARTUSA.COM

ONYX ONX1.1500D AMPLIFIER High efficiency digital D-Class technology; black “military grade” proprietary PCB; bass EQ with 45 Hz bass boost; bass remote included; and built-in system diagnostics. MSRP is $799.95.

REFERENCE RLP254 SUBWOOFER

ROCKFORD FOSGATE

10-inch shallow mount subwoofer 600-Watt max, 300-Watt RMS; 3-inch mounting depth; single flat poly cotton spider with woven tinsel lead wire; and custom nickel plated push type terminals. MSRP is $199.95.

WWW.ROCKFORDFOSGATE.COM

POWER AMP T1500-1BDCP Circuit design actively monitors and increases voltage and current as speakers impedance rises with music; more power is delivered at 4 Ohms and 2 Ohms over a traditional design leading up to 25% increase in total amplifier power; and more power is also available over the effective frequency band as opposed to a fixed voltage/current amplifier design. MSRP is $749.99.

T212 POWER SUBWOOFER Unique design allows the woofer to be mounted either in an inset position or inverted to create a finished look; eliminates cone distortion; reduces piston flex; and has superior heat dissipation and high power handling. MSRP is $749.99.

MOTEVO MOBILE WWW.MOTEVOMOBILE.COM

GTV-X2 UNIVERSAL NIVERSAL FIT M MULTIMEDIA NAVIGATION SYSTEM Large touchscreen screen TFT LCD In-dash GPS Navigat Navigation (with maps of Canada, USA and Puerto le); supports DVD, DVD+R, VCD, CD-R/RW, MP3, MP4; has built-in Bluetooth for Rico available); hands-free control; an iPod Interface, SD Card slot and USB Port; and auto switching to rear ra input. MSRP is $549. view camera

AUTO PAGE WWW.AUTOPAGEUSA.COM

AUTO PAGE HEAVY METAL C3-RS915LCD ALARM AND REMOTE CAR STARTER 6-channel alarm with remote starter and 2-way SST paging LCD Remote Transmitter with 1-mile range; five on-board relays for parking lights, starter, accessories and one additional relay / socket for starter disable; and high-tech chrome metal finish with smart-looking leather strap for the key ring and new USB rechargeable lithium Ion battery with wall charger. MSRP is $599.95.

22 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

nelly resurrects the mustang gt 5.0 WORDS: KRISTIE BERTUCCI PHOTOS: A.J. MUELLER PHOTOGRAPHY | WWW.IMAGEAJ.COM

I

f you’re going to unveil anything at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, you better make the car’s design stand out from all the other debuts hitting the Cobo Hall floor to get some buzz...which is exactly what the 2011 DUB Edition Ford 5.0 Mustang GT did!

For the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the biggest talk of the show was the return of Ford’s 5.0-liter Mustang GT that many muscle car fanatics can’t wait to see hit showrooms. The anticipation grew even larger when Nelly showed up to debut his 2011 DUB Edition Ford 5.0 Mustang GT. As the FIRST in

the world to receive one, he’s also the FIRST to get it specially modified with a widebody! Nelly teamed up with Ford and DUB to create the menacing vehicle that boasts plenty of eye-catching mods, as well as the new, advanced 5.0-liter V8 engine that delivers 412 horsepower and 390 lbs.-ft. of torque, with expected highway mileage of 24 mpg.

Nelly’s Ford collaboration first started out with the Ford Flex, but then evolved into the Mustang after he had an impromptu conversation with Ford’s Vice President of Marketing, Jim Farley. “I was up at Ford in a

“…I think [the 5.0 Mustang] was one of the things [Ford] did best.”

26 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

Two 12” W3v3 subwoofers from JL Audio thump in the trunk of the 5.0.

meeting and Farley stopped in to say hi,” he explains. “For the most part that was gonna be it, but then we got to chatting it up and talking about cars for about 45 minutes. I gave him a little input on where I thought things were headed on the automotive side, and what I thought Ford could do to get back into the swing of things, so to speak, as well as what people are looking for in terms of cars. Not that they’re out of it or anything—come on, they’re FORD. Just about gettin’ a little more in the mix of things with the newer generation.”

Farley said he immediately was struck by Nelly’s enthusiasm for Mustangs. “[Nelly] said something that was really fantastic to me. He said, ‘When are you getting the 5.0 back?’”

He then heard Nelly out and questioned him about the idea really working. “Hell yeah,” Nelly says he told Farley. “I think that at times when you’re unsure in life, it’s easy to go back to the things that you did best so to speak, and I think [the 5.0 Mustang] was one of the things [Ford] did best.

I was just happy that he listened and was taking

heed to what I was saying. He didn’t have to sit there and take a little guy’s advice from St. Louis about cars.”

It turns out Nelly is no “little guy” when it comes to the topic of cars. His appreciation for them is something that’s passed on from his grandfather, father and uncle. “They also loved cars, which is why I love them now.” And, he can definitely “talk the talk,” especially when it comes to his all-time childhood dream car: the 5.0 Mustang GT. Of course, back then, he couldn’t afford it, but when his rap career took off, he was definitely looking to buy one. But by that time in 1996, Ford switched up the previous 5.0-liter engine in favor of their newer Modular 4.6-liter SOHC V8, which Nelly did not exactly like.

“It was the style, the speed that attracted me,” he recalls. “Back then, it was the hottest car on the street! I remember when I saw it in Menace II Society in that one part when Kane was driving in the one he had just bought and didn’t have any rims on it yet. So, he rolled up on some guy in the drive-thru and jacked the guy’s rims MAR / APR 2010

DUB MAG 27

for his own Mustang—not that I’m condoning that—but it was my favorite part of the movie. I was, like, I gotta get me a Mustang!”

It took Nelly a couple of years, but he’s finally got one made to his specifications. After some coordinating with the design team at DUB on ideas for the fully customized Mustang, his dream car is now perfected. “I thought it needed to be mean,” he comments. “I think Ford needs to get a bit meaner; they need an edge. When you think of Ford, you kind of think family cars, nice, safe, economical and things of that nature.

You really don’t think edgy, tough, taking risks, you know what I’m sayin’? And, I think that was my whole thing. I was, like, ‘Yo, man, someone here is gonna have to take a shot and loosen it up a bit. The 5.0 Mustang is the epitome of what muscle cars started, where it should end, where it should be, where it should go.”

What resulted was a fierce Mustang sitting low and wide thanks to a custom widebody construction by Topo at Mafia Customs; a sleek Street Scene body kit; and a more aggressive stance via Eibach springs. To complement the look, a staggered set of 22-inch front and 24inch rear fender-filling TIS Modular TM15 wheels partnered with Pirelli PZero Nero 245/30R22

front and 275/25R24 rear were fitted on the ‘Stang. The factory deep-gloss black paint is subtly offset by the matte-black racing stripe that extends from the nose to the tail, while also being equipped with a blacked-out grille and hood scoop from Street Scene. The taillights were tinted, and the stock lighting was upgraded with ORACLE Halo headlights and fog lights provided

by Advanced Automotive Concepts. The interior was refitted with complete suede and leather and also houses a full custom JL Audio system that features premium W3v3 subwoofers, Slash v2 Series amplifiers and their Evolution component systems. Performance additions, at the time of modification, were limited to a custom K&N Aircharger and custom Borla Exhaust system.

“When I saw it, I was, like, ‘Yo, this is definitely what I’m talking about,’” Nelly says.

“It’s something that will push the envelope and is a generational must. When you talk about this generation, it’s about the risks and the aspect of the edge—from entertainment, music and beyond.

Everything is a bit rougher and tougher, and I think the automotive industry needs to be that way, too.” Digging the widebody aspect of the vehicle, Nelly thinks it sits like a “Rottweiler.” “All that’s missing is a dog collar, you know what II’m m sayin sayin’??

2011 dub edition ford mustang gt 5.0 widebody • CUSTOM WIDEBODY CONSTRUCTION • STREET SCENE BODY KIT • 22” & 24” TIS MODULAR TM15 WHEELS • PIRELLI PZERO NERO 245/30R22 FRONT AND 275/25R24 REAR TIRES • K&N AIRCHARGER • BLACKED-OUT GRILLE AND HOOD SCOOP FROM STREET SCENE • EIBACH SPRINGS

• ORACLE HALO HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS PROVIDED BY ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE CONCEPTS • FLAT BLACK RACING STRIPES • BORLA EXHAUST • DUB EDITION INTERIOR SUEDE TRIM • DUB EDITION EMBLEMS • JL AUDIO W3V3 SUBWOOFERS, SLASH V2 SERIES AMPLIFIERS AND THEIR EVOLUTION COMPONENT SYSTEMS

FORD WWW.FORDVEHICLES.COM

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NELLY WWW.NELLY.NET

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TOPO AT MAFIA CUSTOMS MAFIACUSTOMS@GMAIL.COM

28 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

“When I saw it, I was, like, ‘Yo, this is definitely what I’m talking about,’” Nelly says. “It’s something that will push the envelope and is a generation must.”

It looks real, real mean.”

While Nelly’s Mustang is an exclusive commodity, he did mention that he and Ford flirted with the idea of producing the “Nelly 5.0,” but nothing’s final at the moment. “It’s up to those guys, but I appreciate what we were able to put together conceptually.”

Besides his joint venture with Ford, Nelly, who recently ranked third on Billboard magazine’s “Top Artist of the Decade” list, has been hard at work in the studio with acclaimed producer Jim Jonsin, who is behind mega hits, such as Beyonce’s current chart-topper “Sweet Dreams” and Lil Wayne’s seductive “Lollipop.”

With Jonsin on board, whatever the Derrty Ent. CEO has in store for us will definitely be bangin’.

Nelly also has a few collabos on the joint, including Kelly Rowland, who he partnered with before. Expect other big names like Plies and

Chris Brown to be heard on the album, too. “It’s kind of like when you go back to what you’re doing best—although I can never duplicate a past album ’cause that’s just what it was,” he reflects. “I think it’s a thing of having the same mentality and drive going into it and trying to create the same energy.”

Don’t think he’s totally forgoing his movie career altogether. Instead, look out for him in a few “CSI: NY” episodes this year, while he continues researching future movie projects to do next year. “I’m taking my time with movie roles,” he says. “I’m not really rushing it or anything, and ready to tackle movies as they come.”

But one thing he’s ready to tackle is his 2011 DUB Edition 5.0 Mustang GT. “I’m itching to get behind the wheel of my Mustang and really take it out on the streets. I already called my lawyers to get them on deck for more tickets.”

NELLY AND FORD’S GROUP VP OF GENERAL MARKETING, JIM FARLEY

T

he New Year rang in with a bang with the first DUB Show Tour stop in Detroit! Notably, for the first time, we partnered up with the most prestigious auto show in the world, The North American International Auto Show, to host the kick off DUB Show in the Cobo Arena during the opening weekend of the Auto Show from Jan. 16-17!

More than 58,000 auto show goers rushed through the doors of the arena to check out all of the amazing custom rides and displays that make up every DUB event. The main attraction was Nelly’s 2011 DUB Edition Mustang GT 5.0!

Detroit’s attendees were treated to free samples of the latest Monster Energy drinks, including our very own DUB Edition energy drink, at the Monster Energy lounge. Gamers got their fill with the latest and greatest titles in both the Xbox 360 Gaming Arcade and 2K Sport’s NBA2K display. For the mobile warriors, Metro PCS and Verizon Wireless had their 2010

30 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

line-up of phones to sample. TIS and Dropstars Wheels brought out the hottest lineup of new wheels on the market all on display in multiple color and finish schemes. Mobil 1 was busy educating show goers on the benefits of their synthetic oils, and Pirelli’s display was buzzing with a clean ‘64 Lincoln convertible on display.

The DUB Show is always a celebrity magnet and this was no exception, with the likes of Twista, Erik Estrada, Trick-Trick, Kdeezy and NBA players Jonas Jerebko and Jason Maxiell from the Pistons all making their way through the show to see what’s hot for 2010 and sign autographs.

NELLY WITH HIS 2011 DUB EDITION FORD MUSTANG GT 5.0 AT ITS DEBUT AT THE DETROIT AUTO SHOW

NELLY’S WIDEBODY ’STANG DISPLAYED AT THE DUB TOUR SHOW

TRICK-TRICK SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS AT THE MONSTER LOUNGE

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THE 2011 DUB EDITION V6 MUSTANG WAS A CROWD PLEASER

JAM-PACKED AT THE 2K SPORT’S GAMING DISPLAY

TWISTA AT THE VERIZON WIRELESS BOOTH

JONAS JEREBKO OF THE PISTONS AT THE METRO PCS BOOTH

DUB EDITION FORD TAURUS SHO

ERIK ESTRADA

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u d Evol n a n io cut

Exe

36 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

GREG IZ PHOTOS:

RU WORDS: TITO

B.

I WANTED TO CREATE A NEW LEGACY SO I SET GOALS FOR MYSELF. I WANTED TO WIN 20 CONSECUTIVE DEFENSES, AND I CONQUERED THAT GOAL; I WANTED TO MOVE UP AND FIGHT AT LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT AND THEN CONQUERED THAT GOAL. THESE THINGS MOTIVATED ME TO BEING WHERE I AM TODAY.

C

onstant evolution is a part of life.

Accordingly, plenty has changed for North Philadelphia ex-con/turned fighter and entrepreneur, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins since he graced the cover of DUB five years back.

Hopkins, the first fighter to retain all four major championship belts in his former middleweight division, has surely gained exponential wealth.

Of course, his former exotic and luxury vehicles have been replaced with new ones. In recent years, to add to his longtime Philadelphia, PA and Hockessin, Delaware addresses, he purchased a couple of new residential properties—a condo on the famed Collins Avenue in Miami, FL and a home in Burbank, CA. All a long stretch from the Raymond Rosen Housing Projects where he was reared, or the Graterford State Penitentiary where he occupied a cell from the ages of 17 through 23.

And, although Hopkins isn’t the overly flashy type, he replaced his Jacob & Company watch with a prestigious Audemars Piguet timepiece (courtesy of a new partnership with the renowned watch maker). “I didn’t really know how prominent Audemars was, but Oscar [De La Hoya] definitely knew all about it,” Hopkins laughs. “Oscar immediately wanted in on the deal.”

In 2004, Hopkins partnered with his former nemesis, De La Hoya, months after his highest earning career fight, which resulted in a ninth round KO victory against the “Golden Boy.” As the East Coast Director of Operations for the rapidly flourishing Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions, his varied efforts MAR / APR 2010

DUB MAG 37

Hopkins and his trainer Naseem Richardson are continuing to dominate the boxing scene, while Hopkins is hyped to take on the streets in his 2010 DUB Edition Ford Taurus SHO that he fell for while at the 2009 DUB Show Tour in Philly.

include recruiting young talented prospects like Brooklyn middleweight Danny Jacobs and Philly welterweight Danny Garcia.

Hopkins whole heartedly refers to his “discipline,” “ambition” and “carefulness” as being innate traits of his zodiac sign Capricorn.

“I’ve proven that it means more to me than just being rich or a successful champion,” he articulates. “I wanted to create a new legacy, so I set goals for myself. I wanted to win 20 consecutive defenses, and I conquered that goal. I wanted to move up and fight at light heavyweight and then conquered that goal. These things motivated me to being where I am today.”

If indeed astrological readings are precise, then no doubt Hopkins exemplifies the thriftiness that is heavily associated with his sun sign. Long before the U.S. entered a “recession,” Hopkins started recession proofing himself. Back when gas prices began soaring, Hopkins wasted no time departing with his gas guzzling Hummer H2 that he posed with in his previous DUB feature. “I have to watch those gas prices,” he smiles.

His current auto collection includes a 1966 Lincoln Continental hardtop, restored using its original frame and equipped with suicide doors and a black and red interior; a four-door 2008 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S; a 2007 Range Rover; and a pair of his and her Bentley GTs. His favorite driving choice, though, is his ’66 Lincoln.

“You can’t find cars like the ’66 Lincoln parked anywhere,” he says. “You won’t see five of them in one day.” Hopkins’ first ride that placed a cease to his public transit days was also an old school classic. His face lights up nostalgically when he discusses the two-door, white-top ’76

38 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

Cadillac Coup Deville with whitewall tires and spokes that he purchased back in 1990. “I’ll never forget it,” he says. “To me, it was like having a Rolls-Royce today!”

While he’d like to add the 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe to his collection, Hopkins would rather wait than spending unnecessarily. He acknowledges that people with money like to “keep their money.” “I don’t have to have the 2010 just to say I have a 2010,” he says. “That’s one of the worst investments.

What I do is let someone take the initial 2-3 year lease, which is the typical lease length. Once they take the hit, I’ll go for the Drophead for, like, $300,000, with low miles. But I’m not going to take the first hit, nooo.”

Hopkins, with his discerning palate, admits that he never thought he’d own a Ford either.

However, he was extremely impressed when he saw the 2010 DUB Edition Ford Taurus SHO at the DUB Show in Philly, so he purchased it. Some 24-inch Lexani LSS-10 black machine-finished wheels with Pirelli PZero Nero 275/25R24 tires were added, as well as H&R lowering springs, which gives the SHO a lowered stance. The car also comes equipped with a two-speed fuel pump and Aggressive Deceleration Fuel Shut-Off technology, which helps achieve best-in-class gas mileage, and agrees with Hopkins fuel-saving ways. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 in the SHO uses twin-turbo charged direct-injection to deliver the thrust of a V8 with the thirst of a V6.

“Ford has stepped their game up a million times with the last three models that came out,” he says. “When I saw the Taurus at the show, I said, ‘What is that?’ I drove it, and I loved it!” Hopkins

The DUB Edition Ford Taurus SHO sits on 24-inch Lexani LSS-10 black machine-finished wheels with Pirelli PZero Nero 275/25R24 tires.

says it’s perfect for riding through the hood, going downtown or hanging with the boys. “It’s rugged and sexy, so it’s really an all-purpose vehicle.”

Hopkins is wise enough to know certain cars you just don’t drive through the hood, but the Taurus definitely gets a pass. “You got to respect the hood,” he says. “And that doesn’t mean tucking your chain in or coming around late at night when no one is around. You’re going to have haters whether you’re wearing bummy clothes or designer fabrics. But when you come through flossing too much, them boys are coming to get you, so you got to keep them guessing…”

The inner-city (hood) and its perils, The Executioner knows all too well. He vividly recalls at 13, riding to the movies on the Philly Sub (train) with a girlfriend, a night that turned quite ugly. Once he recognized that a few guys

were scheming to rob him, he told his female companion, “Take your earrings off…”—seconds later the melee ensued.

“At that time I was smoking weed, popping pills and drinking,” he recalls, noting that he’s been sober for the past 25 years. “I was aware, but I wasn’t aware enough to fend off three out of four guys.” He was stabbed and rushed to the hospital operating room where they performed surgery, followed by a six month stay. That incident made for one of three times in which Hopkins had been stabbed as a teen.

Finally, his evil deeds—robbing people on the streets, at crap games and through verbal intimidation—had caught up with him. At 17, he was sentenced to 5-15 years at Graterford State Prison, where he enrolled in the prison’s boxing program. He served five years of his sentence, and while making his exit, a guard told him, “You’ll be back.” Hopkins thought different. “I’ll never come back here,” he says he contested. He

described his prison experience as one that made the HBO series “OZ” look like Disneyland.

“I did nine years on parole,” Hopkins says.

“That’s like not getting into a fight in Watts, because after a while of being in Watts, somebody is going to step to you. That’s just the way it is. Staying out has been more challenging than winning any championship belt in my career.”

Hopkins is what most young fighters aspire to be. Typically, boxing managers urge their fighters to solely focus on boxing and not other aspects of the business because it reduces the fighter’s focus. However, Hopkins was an exception to the commonly implemented rule. For much of his career, Hopkins managed and promoted himself up until 2004 when he partnered with Golden Boy Promotions.

Having been through the many trials and tribulations of an independent fighter, Hopkins is an advocate of fighter’s rights and even testified before Congress in support of The Muhammad Ali Act. “I’m a guy that if I feel things need to be challenged—I don’t care who it is—I’m going to challenge that, even if it means career suicide.”

Don King’s belief that you can present a fighter with a check for $1 million or $50,000 cash, and the fighter would opt for the cash because he’s not used to having money doesn’t resonate well with Hopkins; he refers to that ideology as an old street hustle. “I’ve been in the presence of Don King many times, and what he didn’t say is that you have to get the fighter in debt,” he says

40 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

I’M A GUY THAT IF I FEEL THINGS NEED TO BE CHALLENGED—I DON’T CARE WHO IT IS—I’M GOING TO CHALLENGE THAT, EVEN IF IT MEANS CAREER SUICIDE.

with conviction. “You let the fighter know that he needs to be dependent. It’s like a drug dealer having a drug user, so he’ll always have to come back. He has to get a fighter in that state of mind; dependent, not independent.”

Hopkins is a rare breed. He’s faced a multitude of heavy-hitting, elusive opponents. Unlike many of them who’ve aged and lost their touch, at 45, Hopkins still possesses his unrelenting, youthful drive. Today, he remains the oldest man to hold a title in the middleweight division.

“Once you reach your important goals, it’s easy to lose the discipline you once had,” he says.

“In fact, it’s normal to lose that discipline.” But, apparently Hopkins is anything but the norm.

And right now retirement is far from his mind.

“Why should you get divorced if you’re happy?”

Ultimately, his philosophy is that life

experiences are what make you stronger or weaker. One look at his resume and there’s no contest as to how The Executioner’s life journey has affected him.

LEXANI WWW.LEXANI.COM PIRELLI WWW.US.PIRELLI.COM GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS WWW.GOLDENBOYPROMOTIONS.COM

fiT FOR ROYALTY WORDS: DEANNE DELUNA PHOTOS: R. PINSON

S

in City, a place where one bet on the tables can either make or break you. If you lose, there goes your money, but if you win, you can either go home happy or let it ride. But the question still remains, how much are you willing to lose until you hit it big? For automotive enthusiast and modifier Tony Lee, the risk of opening the first automotive accessory store in Las Vegas was a gamble he had to take, win or lose.

Growing up around his family’s auto repair shop was the foundation for Tony’s future endeavors.

At age 16, when he bought his first car was when Tony’s fascination with modifying cars reached a whole new level and fixing up his then prized

Iced Out Emz’s diamond-encrusted Bentley shift knob goes for $85,000 and features 21 carats of genuine diamonds and 8 ounces of 18-carat white gold. It’s the world’s second most expensive shift knob, with the first from Iced Out Emz boasting 30 carats of genuine diamonds and 10 ounces of 18-carat white gold that sold for $150,000.

46 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

Toyota Tercel became his life. By the time he was 20 in 1994, Tony opened up CCR Motorsports in the shadows of towering casino hotels and resorts. “I rented a small office space and was basically ordering parts through a catalogue,” Tony recalls. After building and growing it for 11 years, Tony decided to sell his share and venture into his long time dream of manufacturing.

Utilizing his experience and skills in the aftermarket field, Tony took a gamble and decided to continue with his passion for cars.

Continuously being asked by friends and runins with old customers, “What else could be customized on a car?” Tony knew that the

“A custom grille is a simple modification, but the end result truly sets your vehicle apart from the crowd, and I wanted to offer that to my customers.”

limits of modification had already been reached.

Carefully looking over one customer’s car, he noticed the emblems were the only things that had not been touched. He thought to himself, “This guy is wearing all kinds of diamond jewelries, but how can I express his personality through his custom car?” Knowing that diamonds are too expensive and can be easily stolen, he decided to use crystals.

Tony began with his first crystal-embedded emblem experiment, not knowing that this idea would turn into a success. With great responses he got from his customer and friends, Tony got more and more requests and naturally jumped on

the idea of mass production.

This in turn led him to create his next business in 2004, IcedOutEmz that manufactures Swarovskiencrusted emblems for those who prefer the “blinged-out” look for their rides. After the success of IcedOutEmz set in, Lee added another entity to his expanding product offering in 2007—Tiarra Luxury Grilles. “I have a background in metal fabrication with experience in customizing grilles. A custom grille is a simple modification but the end result truly sets your vehicle apart from the crowd, and I wanted to offer that to my customers.”

As a sister company to IcedOutEmz, Tiarra

Luxury Grilles specializes in creating quality, one-off and handcrafted grilles to adorn a variety of vehicles. Taking the name from a crown associated with royalty, Tony thought it would perfectly summarize the type of quality for the product he’s creating. With an in-house designer and experienced craftsmen combined with state-of-the-art cutting technology, Tiarra Luxury Grilles provides customers unique grille kits made from 100% stainless steel mesh and frames that include side, hood and bumper vents, depending on the particular vehicle.

“Nothing is ever imported,” Tony says. “We pride ourselves on building everything here in Las Vegas. Our most popular requests for Tiarra are MAR / APR 2010

DUB MAG 47

Lee not only offers custom grilles for cars, but can also fabricate one-off pieces for bikes and various accessories.

for the Mercedes-Benz S550, Cadillac Escalade, 2010 Chevy Camaro, Chevy Tahoe, Lexus LS460, various BMW, Maserati and Range Rover models, as well as old school rides like the Chevy Caprices, Buick Skylarks and even the likes of a late-’60s T-bird. We basically can make any grilles for any vehicles,” Tony explains. While fairly new to the industry, Tiarra has already compiled a loyal following in part thanks to the already established popularity of IcedOutEmz. While Tony’s focus is on expanding Tiarra’s

popularity and growing IcedOutEmz into an even hotter commodity, he’s not ruling out introducing more items to his lucrative business ventures.

“Right now I’m trying to make my companies into household names in our industry. I want to give my customers more options when fixing up their rides. It always gives me great satisfaction when a customer is happy with my products.”

ICED OUT EMZ WWW.ICEDOUTEMZ.COM TIARA GRILLES WWW.TIARRALUXURYGRILLES.COM

Las Vegas might be known to thrive on gambling, but Tony’s success story is proof that risks do have its rewards.

Tiarra Luxury Grilles manufactures their products in its Las Vegas facility and provides customers with unique grille kits made from 100% stainless steel.

48 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

DUB MAGAZINE ISSUE 65 MAR/APR 2010 CONTENTS

36 14 16 44

CYPRESS HILL RISE UP NEXT LEVEL • BRINK, METRO 2033 • PRO MODZ

TASTE

• MICKEY AVALON

FACTORY TUNED • SONY XPLOD X CUSTOM CAR SHOP

22

STAND UP FOR SKATEPARKS TONY HAWK FOUNDATION

DUB REPORT 65

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

DUB® is the Original Automotive Lifestyles Magazine™ and is published by DUB Publishing, Inc. in the City of Industry, CA. DUB® 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, visit www.dubshowtour.com DUB® 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

The 2010 DUB Show Tour is in full effect as it travels America, bringing the hottest rides, performances and booths to a city near you! For the first time since the inception of the Show Tour, we’ve partnered up with some of the nation’s biggest Auto Shows. Our first stop was Motor City, where we took over a part of Cobo Hall during the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The highlight of that show was the debut of Nelly’s 2011 DUB Edition Ford Mustang GT 5.0, which is the first to ever receive a widebody application. Check out the features for full details.

Next we headed to Philly for the Philadelphia Auto Show, then came back to L.A. to take over the Angels Stadium of Anaheim, which saw more than 28,000 show goers, before we tore it up in Phoenix a week later.

Look out for in-depth coverage in following issues!

So far, from what we’ve seen, the quality of displays and vehicles is amazing. Each year, everybody steps up their game for the Show Tour. The tribute to Lowriding has really taken off, with more and more Lowriders showing at every stop. The Show is truly becoming a car lover’s dream since there’s something for everyone— exotics, Euros, Lowriders, 4x4s, DUB Vehicles and more! Chances are, whatever you like most, you’ll see it at the DUB Show Tour this year.

Just like the caliber of the rides, the performances have also been on point with big acts like Game, New Boyz, Three 6 Mafia, Iyaz, J Cole, B.o.B and Nipsey Hustle tearing it up for fans. Expect even bigger names for the remaining stops.

As an event the whole family can appreciate, the 2010 DUB Show Tour has become an event with an audience comprised of all ages. In fact, it’s the perfect place to forget about your life’s worries and just relish in some fun and excitement!

This year’s tour will definitely not disappoint! * 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 on Myspace.com/dub and Facebook.com/dubmagazine.com

Promotional Printing: Smart Levels: (800) 465-1746 www.smartlevels.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.

©Copyright 2010 DUB Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED • PRINTED IN THE USA “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

BRINK PUBLISHER: BETHESEDA SOFTWORKS DEVELOPER: SPLASH DAMAGE PLATFORM: XBOX 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PC | WWW.BRINKTHEGAME.COM

As a first-person shooter game, Brink offers team-based multiplayer missions, where two sides, “Resistance” and “Security,” fight in the outskirts of a utopian city known as The Ark, a floating city surrounded by the waters of a flooded Earth. The Ark was designed as a prototype of a perfect city, with renewable resources and no pollution, large enough to support 5,000 residents. Its population has grown to 50,000, however, leading it to the brink (hence the name of the game) of a civil war. With tensions

METRO 2033 PUBLISHER: THQ DEVELOPER: 4A GAMES PLATFORM: XBOX 360, PC | WWW.METRO2033GAME.COM

Metro 2033 is a story of intensive underground survival that’s set in the shattered subway of a post apocalyptic Moscow, where the fate of mankind rests in the player’s hands. Almost all mankind is gone because of the apocalyptic even that took place in 2013, and the Earth’s surface is a poisonous wasteland. A handful of survivors took refuge in the depths of the Moscow underground, and human civilization entered a new Dark Age. The year is 2033. An entire generation has been born and raised underground, and their besieged Metro Station-Cities struggle for

survival, with each other, and the mutant horrors that await outside.

The player takes on the role of Artyom, born in the last days before the fire, but raised Underground.

Having never ventured beyond the Metro Station-City limits, one fateful event sparks a desperate mission to the heart of the Metro system, to warn the remnants of mankind of a terrible impending threat. The journey takes Artyom from the forgotten catacombs beneath the subway to the desolate wastelands above, where the player’s actions will determine the fate of mankind.

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14 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

between the two groups growing, Security and Resistance forces are locked in a heated battle for control of the Ark. Brink allows you to develop your character whether playing alone, with your friends, or against others online. You decide the combat role you want to assume in the world of Brink as you fight to save yourself and mankind’s last refuge. Brink offers a compelling mix of dynamic battlefields, extensive customization options, and an innovative control system that will keep you coming back for more.

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PHOTOS: COBRA SNAKE WWW.COBRASNAKE.COM

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16 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

WORDS: KRISTOPHER KU PHOTOS: MICHAEL VINCENT | WWW.MICHAELVINCENT.COM

22 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

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ccording to the Tony Hawk Foundation, 9.3-million Americans identify themselves as skateboarders. In fact, during the last 10 years, no youth sport had a larger increase in participation. However, there are only about 3,000 skateparks for kids to ride, which causes them to find unsafe alternative places like the streets, parking lots and anywhere they aren’t chased from.

To help aid the growing number of skateboarders to perfect their skills in an appropriate environment, skateboard legend Tony Hawk created his foundation to help build high-quality skateparks across the U.S., especially in low-income communities, where skateboarding is all that many kids have.

Galpin and DUB teamed up to create the unique “Hawkized” 2010 Ford Mustang GT, a one-off vehicle with a Jaimie Muehlhausen-designed hood decor, who is the creative director and brand manager for Tony Hawk, Inc. The ‘Stang also features a full body kit from Roush Racing, rear fascia inserts with Tony Hawk emblem, upper and lower scoops, hand-painted pinstriping and accents, custom Tony Hawk badging, Bassani custom exhaust, Eibach custom suspension, 22-inch TIS Modular TM16 wheels and Pirelli tires.

UFC President Dana White was victorious in the auction for the Mustang. In total, the Stand Up For Skateparks in Beverly Hills raised $775,000!

MAR / APR 2010

DUB MAG 23

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ony Hawk isn’t alone in his quest to build skateparks in cities and towns all across the nation, his friend and fellow pro skateboarder Andy Macdonald (aka Andy Mac) is on the mission, too. “I’ve known Tony since I first moved to California back in ’92,” he explains. “I help out whenever I can at his Stand Up for Skateparks events.” Andy Mac has attended all of the events, donating time and boards to auction off, and is always hyping up the Tony Hawk Foundation (THF) while out on the road.

“The Tony Hawk Foundation is something I can get behind because [Tony’s] raising money to help build skateparks in communities that need them.

As far as I’m concerned, every community needs one. I would love to see a skatepark next to every basketball and tennis court—at least the skateparks would get used while the basketball and tennis courts often stand empty.”

“THE TONY HAWK FOUNDATION IS SOMETHING I CAN GET BEHIND BECAUSE [TONY’S] RAISING MONEY TO HELP BUILD SKATEPARKS IN COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THEM. AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED, EVERY COMMUNITY NEEDS ONE.”

A veteran in the sport and a pro skateboarder since ‘94, Andy Mac still actively competes in the world circuit of contests, goes to countless demos, and appears on dozens of TV shows. He holds the record for the most X Games medals, with 19, and he has received eight consecutive World Cup championship titles. And 36-year-old Macdonald isn’t ready to drop his skateboard anytime soon.

“Basically I’ll keep doing it competitively as long as I feel like I’m progressing,” he says, “not even necessarily placing in contests, but just as far as my own personal performance. Even after that, though, I’ll probably stay involved in skateboarding in some shape or form, whether it be through consulting, teaching skateboarding at a skateboard camp, or just advocating for public skateboard parks. I’ll keep skateboarding as long as my body allows me to.”

Macdonald started skateboarding in 1986 when he was 12 after he discovered it one day while shooting hoops at the basketball courts. A guy rolled by on a modern ’80s skateboard, (before that day, Andy Mac had only seen ‘70s-style banana boards), so he was immediately intrigued. “He let me try it out and I was hooked,” Andy Mac says.

Inside the GT you’ll find leather seats with gold stitching, a carbon fiber dash, custom Hurst shifter with pistol grip, 10inch Kicker subs and a 1,000-Watt amp.

After many years in the sport, Andy Mac sees the continual progression of skateboarding. “It’s pushing limits,” he says, “but no one will ever master or conquer it, there’s just no way. There’ll always be a new and better trick that will change the standards. The tricks that are being done now compared to when I started are light-years ahead.” And Andy Mac is still holding his own.

He recently placed third in the 2009 X Games XV Vert competition, second in Park, and second overall in the Dew Tour rankings. “I get motivated to figure out what new, harder, challenging or technical tricks or line I can put together from one competition to the next, or even from one practice session to the next.” His ability to find success in skateboarding has allowed him an iconic status, something he doesn’t take lightly.

As a pro skater, he often has kids approaching him, asking for advice on how

24 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

to make it big. The main thing he tells them is not to do it for the money. “People tend to play up the success stories in skateboarding like Ryan Scheckler or guys they see on TV,” Andy Mac says.

“Guys like [Ryan] and Shaun White are kind of anomalies. The majority of skateboarders don’t make the money like that. The majority of them are there, working hard on tours or whatever, and not getting paid much, but they do it because they love it. If you’re doing it because you’re gonna be rich and famous, then you’re probably in it for the wrong reasons.”

Andy Mac never imagined the life skateboarding has afforded him and thanks his life’s biggest moments to the sport. One of the most memorable times in his career was in the summer of ’98, when not only did Macdonald win the X Games’ vert competition and its first doubles competition with his then partner, Hawk, but it was also the summer he started dating his future wife, and bought his first house. “That summer started big things in my life that I’ll never forget.”

When he isn’t skateboarding, Andy Mac is doing something related to it.

He owns his “Andy Mac” brand of shoes and clothing by Airwalk and helps run his skateboard company, Positiv Skateboards. He gives his time to not only THF, but also to Grind for Life, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for people with cancer, and to the Verizon Wireless STR8TLK Tour where he travels the country speaking at schools, motivating kids to set goals and follow their dreams.

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s a friend of Tony Hawk’s for years, it was only natural that fellow pro skateboarder Bucky Lasek stand behind Hawk to help promote his endeavors to build nationwide skateparks for today’s youth. “I’ve been involved with his foundation since day one,” Lasek says. “I admire the fact that the foundation concentrates on helping areas that normally wouldn’t get attention. It’s those areas where the kids are most in trouble and are more likely to run into trouble.” Lasek believes skateboarding helps empower the youth of today because it offers them something creative and physical besides team sports.

“Some kids don’t work well with teams since they are more individual types and skateboarding provides them the opportunity to focus their abilities in a no-team form.” To help support Hawk and his foundation, you can often see Lasek at all of the foundation’s events, including its biggest fundraiser, The Stand Up for Skateparks benefit. “It’s an amazing event,” he credits.

“Everything is so well organized. There’s great food, a fun-filled atmosphere and great music and demos. It’s really one big festival!” Lasek was one of the attendees at both the Beverly Hills event back in October 2009, and the one in November that was held in Las Vegas at the Wynn.

As an avid participant in the festivities each year, Lasek is no stranger to the DUB Edition vehicles that are auctioned off at the event and was particularly fond of this year’s customized Mustang. “I thought it was pretty sweet,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to do that paint scheme, but I wanted to do it for a 997 for the Gumball Rally. I loved everything about it, especially how it was classic and retro looking but on a modern car.” That’s a huge compliment from Lasek, given he’s not only a pro skateboarder, but also a racecar driver (he hasn’t gone pro yet, but has competed in a few amateur and pro races).

“I’ve always loved cars since I got my first one,” he says. “I went from basic stereo modifications to doing exterior work to finally working myself up to performance. I attended driving schools back when I was 18 and I now race my BMW at the track.” Planning on going pro when his hectic schedule allows him to, he’s currently leaving it as a hobby. “I’m doing it more for fun.

Skateboarding will always come first; I love it way more, but find car racing new and refreshing.” Lasek began his professional skateboarding career in 1990, but became interested in the sport after his bike was stolen when he was 12. He’s currently dominating vert skateboarding. “I’m just continuing to always outdo myself, which is my goal,” he explains. “If I’m not having fun, then I won’t do it anymore.”

Lasek enjoys how skateboarding always reinvents itself for him. “You can always learn new things and try different stuff. I always tell kids to enjoy skateboarding for what it is, set some goals, set them high and have fun reaching them. Fun is the core of it all.” As a way to keep skateboarding fresh, Lasek built a massive concrete bowl in his backyard at his home in San Diego. It’s basically the world’s largest pool, built as a hybrid between modern vert ramps and the modern skate pool, which is likely to contain just about any shape.

26 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

“IT’S AN AMAZING EVENT. EVERYTHING IS SO WELL ORGANIZED. THERE’S GREAT FOOD, A FUNFILLED ATMOSPHERE AND GREAT MUSIC AND DEMOS. IT’S REALLY ONE BIG FESTIVAL!”

While Lasek’s new bowl helps refine his love for skateboarding, he’s still pretty amazed at how fast the sport has grown over the years. “It’s probably because of all the TV coverage,” he says. “There wasn’t much of it when I first started.

It’s that and the fact that it’s super cool for young kids to own a skateboard.

The sport is so fun that you can’t help but fall in love with it. Once you start it’s hard to put down. I’ll be skating in my backyard until I’m old,” he asserts. “Even when I stop competing, it doesn’t mean I’ll stop skateboarding.”

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eceiving his first skateboard when he was nine from his brother, Hawk, 41, helped lead the way for today’s explosion of skateboarding. He started entering competitions when he was 11, and by 14, he signed with a professional team and appeared in several videos. He’s created tons of skateboarding maneuvers used in vert skateboarding and has won more than 70 professional skateboarding contests in his time as a pro. But it doesn’t just end there. Besides his talent on a board, Hawk has also become a very successful businessman, creating skateboards, clothes, video games, DVDs and so much more.

strong community involvement, grassroots fundraising, and a base of support from the skaters, parents, law enforcement and local leaders.

“When I first started, it was a small industry and community,” he describes about skateboarding back in its early days. “We just did it ’cause we truly loved it. The way it’s evolved over the years is incredible. It’s so much more socially accepted and there are so many more opportunities out there because of it; I never imagined all this as a kid.”

Besides donations, the biggest fundraising effort for The Tony Hawk Foundation is its annual Stand Up For Skateparks Benefits auction held in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas. Filled with fun, loads of celebrities and music, the sixth-annual Stand Up For Skateparks benefit took place on October 11, 2009 at the exclusive Green Acres estate in Beverly Hills to raise critical funds to support the Tony Hawk Foundation, and included a special Pledge Drive for a skatepark in Watts, plus an awesome performance by blink-182.

Hawk also landed the elusive 900 during a vert demo that saw contestwinning performances by Hawk and fellow skaters Bucky Lasek, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Andy Macdonald, Lincoln Ueda, and Kevin Staab, plus BMXers Simon Tabron and Coco Zurita, as well as some ramp-top cheerleading from Tom Green and Fred Durst.

As the poster child of the sport in the ’90s, Hawk has long retired from competition, but has never left the skateboarding realm, as he remains active in its progression. In 2002, he started the Tony Hawk Foundation to help those with no real place to skate develop quality places to practice. He financed the organization with a personal gift and assembled a board of directors that represented a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise.

“I saw skateparks being built in well-to-do areas, but they weren’t being built right,” Hawk says. I didn’t understand why all this money was being spent to build terrible skateparks, but quickly realized they weren’t including the actual skaters themselves in the building process. So what I wanted to do was to help cities that were more in need of those facilities to get the parks and get communities involved in the design.”

According to Hawk, skateboarding is an alternative for kids who haven’t found their place in mainstream or traditional sports and provides a creative outlet they might have never otherwise had. “There are still negative views on skateboarders out there,” he says. “You might get chastised for it if you live in a small town with no access to parks.” This is exactly what Hawk is trying to eliminate across the nation. To-date, the foundation has given away grants to build skateparks in 444 communities, which adds up to about $3.1-million in funding, says Miki Vuckovich, the foundation’s executive director. “Out of those 444 skateparks, 348 are up and operating already,” he adds.

A set of TIS Modular TM16 wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero Nero front 245/30R22 front and 265/30R22 rear tires were added to the Mustang.

While the cost of each skatepark varies (it can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $1 million), The Tony Hawk Foundation gives up to $25,000 for each grant. “While it may not build an entire skatepark, it will get the momentum going for cities to raise more money or get the park finished,” Hawk explains. With a staff of four people, Hawk is pretty hands-on with the foundations inner workings, concentrating more on the skatepark designs. “I make sure that the skateparks are well rounded for every skill level and that nothing is misguiding for the kids.” While he focuses on the designs, the rest of his staff looks over applications and keep the foundation running on an everyday basis. When looking to fund a project, the foundation’s Board of Directors like to see projects that have

“We don’t just say, ‘Here’s a skate park, you’re welcome,’” he explains. “We want to support those who have already tried to get a skatepark going and actually petitioned the city, gone to city council meetings, held fundraisers.

Whatever they’ve done, we wanted to validate that work, and I feel that’s the real accomplishment for them. There is literally concrete evidence of their work.”

In addition to the amazing Vert Demo and blink-182 performance, the familycentric action-sports carnival featured all-new games and activities, plus unique auction items like a “Hawkized” 2010 Ford Mustang GT customized

by Galpin Auto Sports and DUB. Guests had the chance to interact with stars like Tommy Lee, Tom Green, Danny Way, Victoria Beckham, Chris “Big Black” Boykin, Jon Favreau, Mat Hoffman, Chuck Liddell, Terry Kennedy, Fred Durst, Johnny Knoxville, Travis Barker, Erik Estrada, Verne Troyer, Tom DeLonge, Perry Farrell, David Spade, Mark Hoppus, Paul Rodriguez, Jr., and event emcee Sal Masekela. “The past two years, we’ve been able to raise more than a $1-million,” Hawk says. “It’s our biggest fundraising event, so we added a second Stand Up For Skateparks Benefit in Las Vegas that took place on November 7, 2009. We hope to make it an annual thing there, too.” The Las Vegas benefit was held at the Wynn Las Vegas and featured a performance by Rancid.

Realizing the impact he has on many communities, Hawk admits that starting the foundation was never one of his initial goals when he started in the sport.

“I just saw this void and wanted to fill it,” he adds. “Once I was in a position to have some influence and to provide some funding, I decided to tackle it head on and start the foundation. It all happened really quickly actually.”

As far as the future for the foundation is concerned, Hawk wants to one day have enough funding and support to fund entire projects. “If we did that now, we wouldn’t have enough money to support numerous projects,” he explains. “I’d also like to one day do more on a global scale and build skateparks overseas. It would all be a matter of having more funding and more staff.”

TIS MODULAR WWW.TISMODULAR.COM | PIRELLI WWW.US.PIRELLI.COM | GALPIN AUTO SPORTS WWW.GALPINAUTOSPORTS.COM | BASSANI WWW.BASSANI.COM ROUSH RACING WWW.ROUSHPERFORMANCE.COM | EIBACH WWW.EIBACH.COM | KICKER WWW.KICKER.COM | HURST WWW.HURST-SHIFTERS.COM WWW.STANDUPFORSKATEPARKS.ORG | WWW.TONYHAWK.COM | WWW.BUCKYLASEKSKATE.COM | WWW.ANDYMACDONALD.COM

28 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

“I MAKE SURE THAT THE SKATEPARKS ARE WELL ROUNDED FOR EVERY SKILL LEVEL AND THAT NOTHING IS MISGUIDING FOR THE KIDS.”

JAN / FEB 2010

DUB MAG 47

tony hawk ride presents

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1. Hawk with blink-182 and Verne Troyer 2. Hawk gets things started on stage with Terry Kennedy, Erik Estrada and Sal Masekela 3. UFC Legend Chuck Liddell 4. Director and actor Jon Favreau also showed some support 5. Tom Green getting in on the vert action 6. P-Rod and Terry Kennedy scoping out the DUB x Galpin Auto Sports Mustang that was auctioned off 7. Johnny Knoxville in the house! 8. Verne Troyer with his signed Tony Hawk deck and shoes 9. Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst was part of the action 10. Big Black representin’ 11. Terry Kennedy and a friend 12. Comedian David Spade stopped by 10.

30 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

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PHOTOS: THE TONY HAWK FOUNDATION

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“WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN THE TYPE OF GUYS TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE A BIT AND EXPERIMENT. IT’S STILL CYPRESS ’CAUSE IT’S STILL B-REAL AND SEN, BUT BY NO MEANS THINK THAT WE LEFT OUR CREATIVITY BACK IN THE ’90S.” – SEN DOG

WORDS: KRISTIE BERTUCCI PHOTOS: KRISTIAN DOWLING | WWW.KRISTIANDOWLING.COM

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n a musical climate where you’re only as hot as your next single, Cypress Hill has managed to transcend the times to stay relevant to their fans while still bringing something hot and new to the music scene. With their eighth studio release, Rise Up, B-Real and Sen Dog keep their signature flow that we’ve all come to expect from Cypress Hill, but also added some fresh, new elements that keep us wanting more from the West Coast hip-hop legends.

“B*tches like you always spittin’ the same rhymes We put you all to shame You never went through the same grind Put you in the bind from the minute you came by So stay in your lane and get wet by the rain” – “It Ain’t Nothin” Having gone off and done solo projects for a couple of years, how does it feel to be back together making music?

B-Real: We’ve never really separated. We’ve been busy doing solo projects, but were still working together even though we weren’t on an active tour circuit; we’d still do shows. We’re always in contact now and never too far from each other. We are family, so it’s not just a business thing for us. We actually hang out and chill. I think that’s a key reason why we can still go on tour and rock the shows and still make good music…because if you didn’t get along, it would be kind of sh*tty so…

You guys are veterans in the music scene.

What has so many years taught you about the industry?

Sen Dog: Patience [laughs]. That’s the main one.

If you ain’t got that you ain’t going nowhere ‘cause everything isn’t going to go according to plan. You have to be willing to hold out for a minute and exercise your patience and wait out the rough part. You learn it pretty quick. If you don’t, it’ll be pretty rough.

scene. Now that you’re back at it as a group, what changes have you noticed, and how have you guys prepared to overcome them and become a huge success as before?

B-Real: There have been so many changes since we recorded our last record six years ago. At that point, that’s when a lot of the online downloads for music were hitting heavily. That affected a lot of album sales because there weren’t as many avenues to promote your album as there is now.

People have figured that the Internet can work to their advantage because the normal procedure to putting a record out doesn’t necessarily work like it used to. Music is more readily available out there, which is a good thing and bad thing.

Was Snoop’s new role at Priority Records the reason you signed there? What are your thoughts on Snoop’s goal to reunite the west coast rap scene with his new position? How is he doing so far?

B-Real: It’s great! We’ve been talking about how to bring back West Coast music for years…us, Snoop, Cube. This is a giant step with Priority coming back and having Snoop take the reigns.

We feel grateful toward Snoop and Priority for bringing us in. Hopefully, I can talk these people into signing Xzibit, and we’ll have the trifecta going on here, man, ’cause he has some hot sh*t right now. It all starts with the artists here really giving a f*ck and making good music. We’re one of the first and really want to step up to the arena and make it happen.

Obviously, you guys have changed and matured over the years. How is this reflected in your music now?

B-Real: Everyday of your life you go through sh*t. We always try to touch on that. Whatever is happening in society or now is what you try to use for the background. How we grew up is what we were talking about when we first got on the scene, and now we’re talking about the sh*t we’ve been through during the course of our career in the industry. We’re basically, like, f*ckin’ journalists really. You can’t keep talking about the same sh*t when you first got into the game because you ain’t doing that sh*t no more. You’ll be ridiculous to try and sell that lie to anybody, you know?

Can fans expect the same old Cypress Hill when hearing your new album, or are you guys trying something new?

Sen Dog: We’ve always been the type of guys to push the envelope a bit and experiment. It’s still Cypress ’cause it’s still B-Real and Sen, but by no means think that we left our creativity back in the ’90s. It’s 2010, and our game is as current as anybody. It’s modern day Cypress Hill.

B-Real: We’re constantly updating our formula and sh*t. It’s a more experienced Cypress Hill as opposed to the “same old” Cypress Hill. We never do anything the same and that’s what kept us around is taking chances and risks. We don’t want to do the safe sh*t.

Why the title Rise Up? B-Real: Obviously, in the world right now, there’s a lot of funky sh*t and people are standing up, pointing out what’s wrong in the world. The only way to be heard is to rise up, stand up and be heard and sh*t. For us, being gone for six years, it was time for us to be heard. The

The music game has obviously changed since you guys first came on the

The Dodge Challenger features a one-off Asanti metal-fabricated widebody kit, custom pinstriping and a one-of-a-kind Asanti Grille package. It sits on Asanti AF155 wheels, with a front 7-inch lip and a rear 12-inch lip, wrapped in Pirelli PZero Nero M+S 275/25R24 front and 405/25R24 rear tires.

MAR / APR 2010

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“I’m right here on the block when it’s time to ride out, you know what I’m all about Hundred Harley bikes on site when it goes down Me and my homies always holdin’ the fort down” – “It Ain’t Nothin” Word on the street is that you have a bike club.

What’s its name and why did you start one?

Sen Dog: The name is Cypress Hill Riding Group, aka The Cypress Hill Billies, and we started that in 2003 when I got my Harley with my friends. There are about eight or nine of us so far. Every member is from the Cypress Hill Ave. neighborhood. We decided to go with the Cypress Hill logo, too. It’s something we all take seriously; there are meetings and dues and we’re definitely Harley enthusiasts. We have a lot of people who want to get in with us.

title came out of the song with Tom Morello, and I thought it spoke volumes to us since we’re back on the rise, coming back with new heat.

How long did the album take to make?

B-Real: We took our time on it, so about two to three years. We were still doing our solo projects and didn’t want to rush it.

PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE: ADRIAN SIDNEY

Tell us how the collaboration with Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine came about, and what the songs sound like given Tom’s hard-core rock sound?

Sen Dog: We’ve been friends with him for a while and would always talk about putting a song together, but never got around to it. So a couple of years back, he wanted to know what we were up to so we told him about the new album, and he said he had something for us. So he sent it, and we loved it right away. The thing about Tom is that he’s a great guitar player; not only is he heavy, but he’s funky, too. His rifts have grooves and stuff like that. Working with him isn’t like going so far out of our element. We’ve been known to get down with some heavy metal elements here and there, so we aren’t strangers to it. He came with something that represented his style and that fits us really good since we were still able to do our rhyme schemes, too.

Heavy metal and hip-hop combine well. It felt natural working with Tom. We have two songs on the album with him, but we really could have done a whole album with him.

You guys also brought back the Smokeout Tour this year after a five-year hiatus. What made you want to do it again? What was it like this time around?

Will you continue to do it in the coming years?

Sen Dog: It’s back for good. We just had to reorganize the organization from the bottom up and it took us a while, but here we are. We never really wanted to stop doing that. Came back with it this last year and it was great and next year will be even bigger.

What does the future hold for the group?

B-Real: I think that we definitely want to get back to the high standards of putting out quality material and definitely want to get back to selling the amount of records that we are accustomed to.

Really, only the release of the record will tell, and we have goals in the mind for ourselves, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We’re also in the process of putting a book together, then and who

38 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

knows? Maybe the future might hold some acting for us. Definitely, as far as Cypress Hll goes, take it to the next level and make it a bigger household name than what we are now.

What do you ride?

Sen Dog: I ride a 2003 Harley Heritage Springer Anniversary Edition, which is my only bike right now. It’s one of my favorite things that I have that’s just mine. I want more though and would like to get a Harley Touring bike to cruise across the country one day.

So how does one become a member of your bike club?

Sen Dog: If there are people that fit the criteria that we want in our group then we definitely want to expand. We don’t want to be misconstrued as a gangster motorcycle club or anything like that; we’re all dads and stuff and not trying to get into nonsense. We’re in it for the love of motorcycle riding and the camaraderie of our members; whomever we let in is a clean-living person.

Any other car-related things that you like?

Sen Dog: I’m a NASCAR guy. I’ve been a big fan since I was a kid. My friends thought I was weird for that. I actually rededicated myself to it in the ’90s. I love to see races and am excited to see Danica [Patrick] come out to NASCAR and expand her career.

“Everywhere I turn I’m on a mission for more But I ain’t selling my soul” – “Rise Up” What motivates you to succeed at what you do everyday?

Sen Dog: Just our personalities. We’ve always been motivated for our group. It’s been like that since the ’90s. I think we have more motivation now since we are veterans. There’s only one Cypress Hill, and he [pointing to B-Real] and I are in it and that’s motivation to kick ass and come up with the best product ever. Glad I’m part of it and want to keep it going.

How do you overcome career and personal roadblocks to achieve success?

B-Real: You just have to keep on treading. You have to try not to let anything be a roadblock.

Unfortunately, some never get around their roadblocks, but we always do. We’re very competitive, and we look at it as a sport. We think of ourselves as a franchise like the Yankees or the Lakers. Whenever we go make an album, we want to win the championship no matter what. We will take our knocks along the way, but do anything to win. I think people see that, too.

We’re motivated and not complacent and or just on cruise control. The minute you start thinking that is when somebody will come knock you off.

How would you say your love of automotives impacted your lifestyle and music?

Sen Dog: Actually my love of automotive impacted my lifestyle a lot ’cause back in the ’90s, I spent so much money renting cars just for a weekend or a week to drive it around. I rented cars like Corvettes, Benzes and Lambos; it was one of my hobbies to find an exotic car to rent and drive the Hell out of it.

What’s your dream car and do you own it?

Sen Dog: I have a lot but my favorite is a convertible Corvette, one of the new ones; the latest version was extremely hot. After the album drops and we do some tours and what not, I’m definitely going to be looking to getting myself a new hot rod.

What about Lowriders? Are you a huge fan of them like B-Real?

Sen Dog: I don’t have quite the nice ones, but I redid my mom and dad’s 1983 Buick Regal and that’s my Lowrider. I had it repainted and did the interior and that’s my version of Lowriding.

“How high can you get?

Cruising in the drop Chevy Got my foot on the floor I’m hitting switches and the frame is heavy” – “Rise Up”

’57 and everybody else’s was the fact that the interior was Lowrider style, and I had a digital dash before anyone had one. The only thing that I didn’t get to do to that car and why it didn’t get to move up the Lowrider scene the way it could of because I didn’t get a chance to do the undercarriage the way I wanted to do it or chrome out the engine. Everything else was great. But eventually, I had to part ways with it.

Will probably find another ’57 along the way and knock it out the way I should have.

How has Lowriding affected your life and music?

B-Real: I grew up around Lowrider cars. When I was growing up at the lower Eastside of L.A. and the main car club was Lifestyle. As a kid, I always wanted one and to be one of those guys.

My boy Cartoon from Lifestyle said it the best: It’s an extension of your personality when you put a car together. It may be something you can’t say, but your car is an extension of your personality. People throw all their craziness in their car, and the great part about it is that you see everybody’s individuality.

B-Real’s 7-Series Bimmer rolls on Asanti AF 122 wheels with Lexani N3000 265/30R22 front and 295/25R22 rear performance tires.

Are you still part of Lifestyle Car Club? Can you describe what it was like as a member?

B-Real: I think at this point, I’m an honorary member. I’ve got the tattoos on me for life, know what I’m saying? When I joined I had a ’65 Impala ragtop. It never really got to fly a plaque since it spent more time in the shop. But I had another car that I did fly the Lifestyle plaque with proudly.

It was my car “Nice Dreams,” a ’57 Bel Air. Those were some of the funnest times, man, because it was a camaraderie, a brotherhood, a team, and we all strived to be the best car club out there. It was fun being part of that whole culture. In my heart, I’ll always be a part of Lifestyle. Maybe, one day, I’ll put another one together. I have a ’54 Bel Air right now, but I’m probably going to get rid of it and get something else. But eventually will smash down the scene with a Lifestyle plaque in my back window one day if they decide to make me active again.

You’re also a member of Sen Dog’s Bike Club.

When are you getting your bike and what type do you want?

B-Real: I’m just a consult, man. Me, I hit switches.

I know how to ride, but I’m not really a bike guy.

But, I respect it and love the culture. They look great. If I should ever put one together I’d put the same passion in it that I put toward putting Lowriders together. We’ll see, maybe you’ll see the Dr. Greenthumb bike, you never know.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the Lowriding culture?

B-Real: It’s cool, man. It’s constantly growing.

Everybody always have different ideas on how to put a car together. There’s a lot of creative cats out there and with all this new technology and ways to do sh*t. I think you’re gonna keep seeing crazier sh*t. There is going to be traditionalists that will say you can only go so far with the car, but I mean, when they were the first ones on the scene, people probably told them that and they were pushing the envelope during their time.

There’s no such thing going too far with a car.

40 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

What’s your favorite Lowrider to date that you’ve owned?

B-Real: Well, you know, it was pretty much my ’57 Bel Air. It was two-tone with dark green candy paint with a microflake top. It had a lighter green on the bottom. The car was first black and silver like the Raiders, but changed to green ’cause I’m Dr. Greenthumb. It also had a Continental kit on it, which really was an East Coast front kit. When you bought it on the East Coast, the front was a bit different than the West Coast ones. What I did different from most—that you see a lot now, but I was one of the first to do it, and they’d all be full of sh*t now to say that I wasn’t—was that I took the hotrod interior and put it into an actual car that would be on Lowrider status, with obviously some hydraulics on it. It rolled on 520s ’cause that was a Lifestyle standard, so I had my sh*t on 520 Daytons and switches on that sh*t with four pumps in it; wasn’t trying to get crazy and hop since it’s a heavy car. But the engine was very tight; had some racing cams in it. But you know the difference between my

Another big part was that people saw me in the streets. It kept me grounded. I didn’t get any special preferences because I was famous and still had to go through the same sh*t every member of Lifestyle did. I had to clean the cars, wipe the wheels, do all that sh*t to earn my stripes and this is after me selling millions of records, but that’s the dedication and the standards they have.

If you had to choose between the perfect Lowrider ever and, let’s say, a Bugatti Veyron, which would you choose and why?

B-Real: I’d f*ckin’ roll the Lowrider ’cause then it will open people’s eyes up. The Bugatti is nice, but you know what, you have 15 other guys with the same Bugatti you have, even though it’s as expensive as f*ck and rare. The particular Lowrider you might build is one of a kind because in the Lowrider world, it’s a f*ckin’ crime to build one like somebody else’s. When you’re Lowriding, it’s the only one like it. Even if it’s plain Jane, it’s only yours.

Are their any other particular cars you’re feeling right now?

B-Real: Right now I’m driving a 7-Series BMW. I was doing the SRT 8 Chrysler that I called “Vader,” since it was black-on-black, had some nice NC Forged wheels on there with chrome lips and black inserts. But I got too many speeding tickets so I had to let it go like a bad girlfriend, you know.

ASANTI WWW.ASANTIWHEELS.COM LEXANI PERFORMANCE TIRES WWW.LEXANITIRES.COM PIRELLI WWW.US.PIRELLI.COM HARLEY-DAVIDSON WWW.HARLEY-DAVIDSON.COM

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N

ot getting enough use out of his Dodge Viper, John Wargo, co-owner of The Custom Shop, in Illinois, decided it was time for a change and opted for an Escalade EXT instead. “I have some custom Corvettes and when I got the Viper, I was expecting it to have a bit more than my Corvettes, but wasn’t impressed with it,” he explains. “I needed a new truck for my shop to haul my cars and stuff and have always been a fan of the Cadillac Escalade.” Envisioning his 2007 Escalade EXT as something more than a daily driver, he creatively turned it into a show/work truck that he debuted at the 2009 SEMA show.

Mocking up a rendering of his vision for the EXT to grasp what the finished product would look like, Wargo was definitely more than satisfied with the end product. “This is probably as nice of a SUV or truck that we’ve ever done,” he claims. “It’s got so many things done to it. The combo of the matching trailer to the truck makes people really appreciate the build.” Wargo’s favorite part is that it’s not only a show vehicle, but also a useful, daily work truck.

Getting it show ready in less than two months, Wargo received positive reviews on his build while at SEMA. “We had nonstop traffic while at the show. It’s nice to have something that’s classy and elegant that draws people.

44 DUB MAG MAR / APR 2010

Once they start looking at it, they notice all the little details. The color combo and details draws them in and all the extra stuff keeps them there.”

Using products he used on other builds, as well as new products that he had researched to make sure they fit the car, Wargo first made sure it had loads of power, which is why he added a Pro Charger supercharger. “It’s always nice to have an extra 100 horsepower under your foot.” But that’s just one of the many additions Wargo decided to include. To give it an aggressive sound, a Corsa exhaust was included, while a massive Sony Xplod sound system provides quality tunes when driving cross-country to a show or driving around town doing errands. “You get a lot of bang for your buck in terms of quality and performance at a reasonable price with Sony products,” he mentions.

“There are a lot of really high-end audio products out there, but they’re priced pretty high and a lot of people can’t afford it.” Wargo has done numerous project vehicles for Sony and uses their products in all of his builds.

While his customers’ builds come first (he’s currently working on a 2010 Camaro for a customer, which is tempting him to buy his own), Wargo won’t be doing another project for himself for a while, but has his eyes set on returning to SEMA with something new for this year.

TECH SPECS: 2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT EXTERIOR • Custom hood with E & G grille and fender inserts • Alsa and Dyna Tone custom two-tone pewter and white with copper graphics • Sata Spray paint guns, Badger Air-Brushes Co. brushes, Route 66 Exotic Coatings waxes WHEELS/TIRES • Color-matched 22”x 11” Black Rhino TSW wheels • Good Year Fortera 305/40R22 tires • McGard Spline Drive wheel locks and lug nuts UNDERCARRIAGE/SUSPENSION • Baer front 15” drilled rotors • Baer 6-piston front calipers copper powder-coated and 6-piston rear calipers • Kelderman Manufacturing air ride brackets • McGaughy’s dropped spindles • Firestone Industrial 5-gal. air tank, braided hard lines, polished fittings, digital air ride controller and dual air compressors ENGINE/EXHAUST • 6.2L L92 engine • ProCharger supercharger and intercooler system • Corsa Performance cat-back exhaust system AUDIO SYSTEM • Sony XAV-W1 in-dash TV/DVD • Sony XS-HF167 front speakers (2 pairs in doors) • Sony XS-HF137 rear speakers • Sony XM-GTR6001 sub-amplifiers (2) • Sony XM-GTR2022 amplifiers (2) • Sony XS-L10S SLIM 10” subwoofers (4) • Sony NV-U84 navigation system • Sony XVM-B62 headrest monitors • Custom enclosure in the bed of truck ported into cab • Scosche Power wire and connectors • Odyssey Batteries (2) • Viper security system • Rear view camera on truck and trailer • Dynamat Sound deadener and mat.

INTERIOR • Katzkin Leather two-tone seats, grey and black with copper stitching • Grant steering wheel • Copper paint interior panels • Clayton Machine Works metal bar inserts • Street Glow LED light effects (500 LEDs) • Enduratec Leather materials TRAILER INFO: Rance Aluminum trailer EXTERIOR • E & G grille insert • Alsa and Dyna Tone custom two-tone pewter and white with copper graphic

•

Sata Spray paint guns, Badger Air-Brushes Co. brushes, Route 66 Exotic Coatings waxes

WHEELS/TIRES • Color-matched 16” x 6” Sendel T03 wheels • GoodYear 225/70R16XL tires • McGard Spline Drive wheel locks and lug nuts UNDERCARRIAGE/SUSPENSION • Valley Industries trailer jack system • Valley Industries sway Controller and brake controller • Firestone Industrial 20-gal. air tank, braided hard lines, polished fittings, air ride controller and dual air compressors

AUDIO SYSTEM • Sony XAV-W1 in-dash TV/DVD • Sony XS-MP165W Marine 6.5” front and rear speakers (2 pairs in doors) • Sony XM-1S SUB amps (3) • Sony XM-4S high-level amps (2) • Sony XS-LB10S SLIM 10” subs (2) • Sony VPL-BW5 projection TV system w/pull down screen • Sony XS-LE121D dual 12” enclosure with Spun aluminum panel • Scosche Power wire and connectors • Oddessy Batteries (3) • Protec System One security system • Rear view camera • Dynamat Sound deadners and mat • Sony Bravia 22” monitors (2) INTERIOR • Copper paint interior panels • Clayton Machine Works metal bar inserts • Street Glow LED light effects (300 LEDs) • Enduratec Leather materials • Superwinch with nylon rope and remote control • R & B Cabinets and storage system • Mac Tools • RTL Global ratchet straps • Custom Plexiglass floor insert • 36” ramp extention

THE CUSTOM SHOP 206 S. Main Flanagan, IL 61740 (815) 796-2772 www.customshop.org

MAR / APR 2010

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