#PSBPopCulture: “Boot Camp” – Oct. 12, 2016

I use the term “Boot Camp” to describe my weeks outside of July. Most days consist of standard work for the company, multiple workouts / recovery and fueling my body.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

My longtime friend Tom Bender said years ago that 80 percent of our appearance is based off of what we take in, the other 20 is our workout results. As an expert in his field who trained Calvin Johnson, who is a future NFL Hall of Fame Wide Receiver, during his prime I give Tom’s words full attention.

In talking fitness / fuel consumption with Allison Howard and Jordan Davis, I’ve realized how hard it is to make lifetime altering changes both to our workouts and what we take in. Most of the people I’m in contact with (myself included) don’t have the genetic makeup to consume large amounts of food high in sugar or fat content and still look they weigh the want.

I started my effort to change my frame towards the end of 2012 and have continued to learn more about my body in each passing year. In 2013, the focus was getting back in the gym to run everyday. In 2014, I started to change the way I fueled my body cutting out the massive amounts of sugar I took in daily. 2015 marked the beginning of getting back to lifting weights while 2016 has been a focus on tying all three of those things together. I’ll post an entry a month with progress and more detail on what’s going on in my world fitness wise.

Jordan, who I consider both my friend and fitness rival, provided me with the final motivation to take this part of my daily routine public with his Snapchat post yesterday:

I then took to my Instagram / Snapchat at BrandonClayPSB to politely let him (and all of you) know that I’ve been on my “Boot Camp” grind consistently since the end of the July NCAA evaluation period.

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#iTunesSounds: “A Seat at the Table” – Solange Knowles – Oct. 11, 2016

Before “A Seat at the Table,” Solange Knowles is probably best known for the incident in the elevator with her sister, Beyonce and B’s husband Jay-Z. On this album, Solange enlisted the help of some of the game’s most popular names for this output including Lil Wayne, The-Dream and BJ the Chicago Kid amongst others. As of today, Knowles will also be known for having a No. 1 album as “A Seat at the Table” has risen to the top of the Billboard charts.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

The Breakdown

I like how Solange has an interlude with someone telling a story of their struggle after almost every track. That said, I made a second playlist without those to appreciate the music transitions. I’d recommend having that as well. As far as the music goes, she brought the heat with her production and delivered with the content as well.

Note: Thanks to both Shereka Wright and Jordan Davis who posted / sent messages about the album as I forgot to get it when it dropped.

Favorite Tracks

4) “Cranes in the Sky”

6) “Mad” feat. Lil Wayne

9) “Don’t Touch My Hair” feat. Sampha

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#FreshStyleFits: Fall ’16 Style Guide – Boots and Flannels – Oct. 4, 2016

Boots and Flannels season is upon us. I have to agree with my man Logan Pitts (@Logan_Pittsss23) when he says, “it’s what we’ve been waiting for.” The best part about the flannel with boots look is that there are so many variations of this simple and classic style.

By: Jordan Davis @JDavisPSB

When it comes to choosing the right flannel, you’ll definitely want something saucy. That said, watch for material because a thick cut can limit your styling options. Urban Outfitters is my favorite, ranging from $45 to $120 per shirt. That might sound a bit pricey but trust me that’ll be EXACTLY the material I’m describing. Their brand is made to be worn in multiple ways with just the right fabric and length off the rack. Now how you rock it is entirely in your hands. Sometimes I go classic and just leave it unbuttoned with a white tee shirt or vintage tee underneath, or even over a thin hoodie on the days where it’s freezing out. I’ll even tie it around my waist underneath a tee shirt like the picture above.

As for the boots, many people have many different styles and that’s okay. Each style of boot (aside from your country concert boots) goes great with this look. As for me, I love Kenneth Cole mid cut gentlemen boots or Clarks boots for men. Both give me the slim look, matching the theme for the attire, while also giving me an extra inch or two so my girlfriend has someone to look up to when we step out for dinner.

Brandon Clay’s Take:

I see what my man JD is doing with his fashion game this fall / winter. The flannels and boot combo isn’t in my style wheelhouse but he executes the look with the crispness of a boss. I did a little research and the combo gives me a real Nick Young / Jordan Clarkson feel out in Los Angeles. You can’t mention those two without name dropping D’Angelo Russell as well. Any of those guys all pulled the flannel look off at different points over the past year.

Palmtree100Aug2016
Jordan Davis is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com with a unique blend of #PSBPopCulture reviews. Davis has been rocking the latest trends since arriving here in 1995. He is currently a student at Kennesaw State, a Social Media Intern with PeachStateBasketball.com and is well on his way to being the youngest in charge sooner than later.

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#iTunesSounds: “i hate u, i love u” – gnash – Oct. 3, 2016

gnash has jumped on the scene with an EP titled “us” released back in the spring of 2016. “i hate u, i love u” is the lead single and has climbed into the Top 20 nationally on major airplay charts. The lyrics is this one are heavy as he and Olivia O’Brien carry the track. The music video has over 125 million views on YouTube.

The Breakdown


I was listening to SiriusXM on the way to the airport recently and heard this song. I can’t believe it slipped by me but glad I finally caught it. The whole EP output is solid. Seven tracks, short and to the point. No fluff. gnash is on tour in Atlanta on Wednesday night at Center Stage. I won’t be able to make it but will definitely keep an eye out for the album.

If the song escaped you like it did me, take a listen:

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#iTunesSounds: “Wishing” (Remix) – DJ Drama – Oct. 3, 2016

DJ Drama has a hit on his hands with “Wishing.” Chris Brown headlines the original version which is charting as high as No. 1 in some major radio markets.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Not one to rest on his laurels, Drama teamed up with Fabolous, Trey Songz, Jhene Aiko and Tory Lanez for a star studded remix. Fab teased his fanbase with a drop on the recent “Summertime Shootout 2” mixtape but didn’t include his verse. After a two-week wait, the verse is live.

With the diverse lineup of artists, the remix has something for everyone. Take a listen here:

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#FreshStyleFits: Fall ’16 Style Guide – Raglan Shirts – Oct. 3, 2016

Raglan shirts are the latest add to my collection. Big assist to Taylor Johnson for this one. She put me on the look during the latter part of the spring as a heads up into what she saw coming this fall. I noticed that one of my boys, Dain Pool, is also rocking the look this upcoming season as well.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

I like the style as a change up to either a regular tee or v-neck version. The key for me is a shirt that fits throughout the neck line, arms and isn’t too short at the bottom. Both PacSun and a company called Verley have caught my attention with multiple color ways and a nice fit off the rack. Both companies hover in the $20-30 per shirt range. Toss them on with the “dad hat” that is also a go-to in my fall / winter wardrobe and it’s time to let Larry Rhinehart snap the pic.

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#iTunesSounds: Meek Mill vs The Game – Sept. 21, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Hip-Hop artist, The Game went at both Sean Kingston and Meek Mill this weekend for bringing up name up to the authorities after Kingston ran into some issues…

Honestly, I’m not exactly sure how Meek got involved in this. But unfortunately, he did. Headlined by a loss in a battle to Drake, it’s been a well-documented rough 12 months for a rapper who had the Billboard Album of the Year in 2015.

After dropping “92 Bars,” Game didn’t hold any punches on “Pest Control” either. He’s currently on tour preparing for the release of his album, 1992. Game’s Atlanta tour stop was cancelled last Friday night. There was no word on if it was ticket sale (or lack thereof) related.

Game has long been one of hip-hop’s wittiest wordplay artists. He’s also a social media bully and is giving Meek the full treatment on his Instagram account.

In my opinion, Meek just took another loss.

Take a listen and judge for yourself.

Game: 92 Bars

Game opened fire at Meek with a solid diss track. In hindsight, Game one upped Meek with this one seemingly setting him up for the reply track, “Pest Control” (listen below).

Meek: Ooouuu (Remix)

Meek jumps on one of the nation’s hottest beats right now and calls Game a multitude of things. Mainly the Philly-based rapper calls him out for being a male stripper and says that Game will “only sell like 15,000 the first week.” Omelly and Beanie Sigel join him with verses as well.

Game: Pest Control

Game comes back on the same beat with five minutes worth of bars for everyone mentioned above. I was floored when I listened to it. Game brought the heat labeling Meek as Nick Minaj’s sideshow then leveled both Omelly and Sigel after. Meek’s got a tough road ahead to match or beat this one.

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#PSBPopCulture: A Night in Buckhead – Sept. 20, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza are the center of the Buckhead community. Located about 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta, there is a little something for everyone from the daytime activities to the night life. Part of our team – Jordan Davis, Alli Lhamon – (and affiliate member Anna Grace Smathers) joined me to check it out. We enlisted the help of our PSBPopCulture.com Lead Photographer, Larry Rhinehart and snapped some shots of the area.

Here’s a look at some of the pictures that made it to our respective social media accounts:

{Staying Hydrated} 📽: @larrywrhinehart

A photo posted by JD (@palmtreejd) on

Photography by @larrywrhinehart

A photo posted by ALLI (@allilha) on

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#PSBPopCulture: The Vision – Sept. 19, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

The year was 2002. I was 20 with a college degree and a vision to spend my life helping kids chase their dreams of playing basketball at the college level and beyond. I didn’t have any money to invest but was willing to spend my weekday & weekend nights in gyms around the state of Georgia watching players. I worked as many as four part-time jobs at a time in those first 3-5 years to keep rent paid, lights on and Ramen Noodles on my plate. Even when I lost the little money I made on events that didn’t pan out, I never lost hope…..

Fast Forward. 2016. I’m 35 with a growing business that has impacted thousands of kids and employs hundreds annually. Sure people still doubt the work I put in but a lot more people respect the efforts than those who don’t. If you have a gift and the work ethic, don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t be. Work smart, stay humble.

A couple of my favorite quotes to describe the work:

“Who you know lock themselves in a room doing five beats a day for three summers? That’s a Different World like Cree Summer. I’m supposed to do these numbers.” – Kanye, “Spaceship”

“Vision in my head all I had to was get it out.” – T.I., “Slideshow”

“She said I would never be as big as Trey Songz, boy was she wrong. That was just negative energy for me to feed off.” – Drake, “From Time”

[Photo Cred: Larry Rhinehart]

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#iTunesSounds: Mac Miller – The Divine Feminine – Sept. 15, 2016

Mac Miller‘s new album, “The Divine Feminine,” is slated to drop on Friday. As the title suggests, the tone of the release will be a project geared towards the mellow side of the game. Miller’s dropped three of the 10 tracks on iTunes already. Two of them have found their way into my Apple Music rotation. Here’s why:

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

“Dang”

Miller called upon up-and-coming artist, Anderson.Paak, for the album’s lead single. Paak delivered a slick hook while Mac’s wordplay carries the beat along in between the chorus. This song is getting consistent satellite radio spins already.

“My Favorite Part”

Mac enlists his new girlfriend, Ariana Grande, for this one. The result: a smooth ballad that has Mac pseudo singing. They nailed it.

Favorite Line: “You just don’t know how beautiful you and baby that’s my favorite part.” – Mac

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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