La Dolce Vita

If you're in Michigan in the Metro Detroit area, La Dolce Vita may be a great Tuesday spot for you. I went for the first time yesterday and I must admit, it was a lot better than expected.
Located at 6 Mile and Woodward, you pull up to valet on the side of the building. I was greeted by very nice workers and was taken care of quickly for only a $5 charge. La Dolce Vita is an outdoor lounge and indoor Italian restaurant decorated with interesting art. As you walk in the doors, well gates (no cover), to the outer area, the only lighting you'll have will be strategically placed lights around trees, the bar and the occasional security light on the neighboring grass-covered building. Oh, and I can't forget the bright ass green light post in the middle of the floor. I saw a band there and they had a mix of House, Pop and Salsa music throughout the night. I ordered one drink, which was a little pricey at $9, but definitely worth it alcohol content-wise. Our waitress was really nice and chatty and I saw an ample amount of staff working.
There was an extremely mixed crowd. From old to young..er, casual to classy, groups to date to the occasional perv...I mean what bar doesn't? It seems as if no one could go there and feel like they don't belong.
From a frequent attendee, I heard, "Italian food is all the same, you know, chicken parmesan. And how many ways can you make pasta?? But the food here is really good." I don't know about you but I'd take his drunken word for it. Not sure how this place is any other day of the week, but if you've got nothing better to do on a Tuesday I'd make plans to grab a few friends and head down there.

Cold Men Young

Like to stay up on new music? Well, I'll start bringing you new, "slept on" artists who I think are definitely worth a listen. I find these artists through word-of-mouth, research or just by simply stumbling upon them one way or another.

The first group I will bring to you is composed of four great artists who goes by Cold Men Young hailing from Detroit, MI. And yes, it does sound similar to the former mayor, Coleman Young. There's Kopelli; Mic (pronounced Mike) Write; Blaksmith; & Young Phenom. They definitely show great talent for something different than what you're hearing nowadays. They are speaking a different message; more than just guns & killing or sex & girls. They are sending a message of what needs to be said and heard in lyrical ways that captivate you. "This bad economy got me willing to pop off. The murder rate is rising, unemployment rate is climbing. But I see the silver-lining...", the beginning of Blaksmith's verse to their hot Det-Riot! song. The beats and their flows put you in a "hip-hop" state of mind, if you follow.

They already have many pieces for you to check out. In 2009 they released a free EP called #Leaked, an 8-track mixtape with popular beats. In 2010 they released Champagne Nights/Red Stripe Budget. This is an album full of 16, well put together tracks with dope beats and great lyrics. More recently, Kopelli dropped a song by the name of Caught My Eye early this year. Through the feature of an Akira Shelton lending his vocal abilities for the hook, this turned out to be a nice song a young man could dance to with his lady friend. Most recently, as of this month, Mic Write and Blaksmith dropped H.A.W.K., standing for Heal Apathy With Knowledge; with the hook given by a Pierre Anthony. This informative track makes you not only want to think but you will be vibing to the jazz-type feel of the beat.

Cold Men Young is a very dope group that you should check out in your spare time. They definitely will not disappoint and you can add great, new artists to your music library. Below is a link to listen to the whole album of Champagne Nights/Red Stripe Budget. If you don't have time to listen all the way through, a couple go-to tracks are Det-Riot! and Spit It. You can also check out all of their other music through the link. Enjoy.


Cold Men Young