Who wants to buy T.I.'s Ferrari????

Frequent car collector and Atlanta rapper, T.I., decided to part ways with his 2008 gently used Ferrari. Clifford's Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano has been one of his favorites, but after adding more and more to his collection, when you love something you just gotta let it go. So that's what T.I. decided to do.

According to DuPont Registry, "The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano borrows its name from the test track where Ferrari tests both its road cars and Formula 1 racers, and it's designed to bring F1 to the streets. Ferrari calls the 599 GTB Fiorano a front-mid-engine design, meaning the engine is mounted farther back in the chassis than in a pure front-engine car. Still, the engine is accessed from a front hood. The power plant is a 65-degree V-12 that's 5.99 liters (hence the car's 599 name) that makes 448 pounds-feet of torque at 5,600 rpm. It's limited to a maximum of 8,400 rpm. The power is routed through a six-speed gearbox. The shift patterns can be changed to better meet slippery or dry conditions."

Now, as you can see, the customizations include an Alpine system, red interior with black accents, carbon fiber trim, aftermarket wheels (could be Forgiano), and more. The quality of the photos doesn't nearly match the quality of the car, so check them out below.

P.S. And this could be yours for the low, low price of $230,000. And if your car cost more than the value of your house, then you need to get your priorities in life together.

Spotted: CCB
Source: DR

Ridin Music: T.I. feat. Chris Brown "Get Back Up"

I decided to add T.I.'s new song with Chris Brown called "Get Back Up". Check it out whenever you can. Well done Clifford, but I'm gonna leave it at that...

Ridin Music: Clifford's Paper Trail

I’m never one to lie, but I was never a long time TI fan. I’m a recently converted one. I bought the King album, but that was the extent of his catalog that I purchased. Let’s continue with the honesty, when I’m Serious came out, I was living in NY where a certain rapper was rhyming about Girls, Girls, Girls, and how he had more 6’s than 1st grade was ruling the airwaves. Then I moved down here, and his songs started to appeal to me and it led me to buying his album, and eventually meeting him.

We all know about his life, especially what happened in October ’07. It happened, he learned from it, he’s moved on from it, and he composed a hot album because of it. The name of the album was derived from him actually writing down his lyrics on paper seeing how the last time he did that was I’m Serious.

Ironically, even though Clifford was going through what he was going through, Paper Trail sold 357,000 in the first three days and sold enough copies to make it his best debut to date AND the fourth best selling album that year. Eventually the album was certified 2x platinum by the RIAA (And the RIAA don’t lie).

16 tracks make up this collection including songs like “Ready For Whatever”, “Swing Ya Rag”, “What Up, What Haapnin’”, “Every Chance I Get”, “Swagga Like Us”, the commercial favorites- “Whatever You Like” , “Live Your Life”, and “Dead and Gone”, this album doesn’t fall short. But my favorite track happens to be the shortest track on the entire album- “56 Bars”, and in my cooky, eccentric mind, T.I. will have a hard time topping that song. And yes, this album is in the center console of my Envoy between “What the World’s Been Missing” and “Tha Carter III”.

After this album, he released two mixtapes (A Year And A Day and F’ a Mixtape), a movie (Takers), and another album that will be released one day (King Uncaged).

But yet, I still love 56 Bars. Seriously, when's King Uncaged coming out???

Recapping 2010 Stuntfest Car Show

On June 6th, I attended my first Stuntfest Show. Like I previously mentioned, I missed last years because of Big Kuntry's video shoot (Shameless Grand Hustle plug). But I attended this year, despite the hot weather and the distance.

This year was different: The Stuntworld guys held the show at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and to put a show in that type of location, you know there had to be more than 20 cars there. And there were...

I was far from disappointed. There were so many cars there that kept my attention, and there was never a dull moment. Just when you thought you were done walking around the area, you had to walk back through because more and more customized cars kept coming. There were very few cars that had just wheels and tires. (Don't you hate it when you go to shows and it's nothing but factory cars with rims???)

There was so much going on, and so many guys showing off their audio systems that it was hard for me to get interviews. I managed to get two at the show, but I did collect phone numbers and told them that I want to get a shoot and an interview out of them, so stay tuned for that.

The cars were so interesting that I didn't even pay attention to whoever was on stage. I didn't see Rosci from 106&Park (but she was there), I didn't see J-Nicks and Emperor Searcy from Hot 107.9 (but they were there), I wasn't paying attention to Lil' Hot and I wasn't about to pay attention to some chick rapping about her "onion booty" especially if I got my own. Trust me, that song will not be a part of "Ridin Music".





But I did stumble across Young Dro and friends... They spent most of their time by the media area, but before they parked a Maserati and a fully customized Dodge Challenger that was once *coughs to cover name*, they decided to do donuts in an open lot in front of Henry County Police and yes, Bernie was in the Challenger on the passenger side.



But the best part of the show wasn't just the cars, but it had to do with Young Dro. A 9 year old boy found out that Dro was gonna be there, so his mother took him to see him. The boy had a kidney transplant at the age of 3, and all he wanted to do is to see his favorite rapper. So not only did he get to see Dro, but he met him, got to perform with him, got to rock Dro's Chains (Actually the P$C chain was MacBoney's, but that's too much info), and Dro gave him some money. He was so happy, and to me, that was the best part.

All in all, it was a good car show. It would have been better if I would have gotten my Media Credentials, but I was able to basically get all the media benefits that was worth getting. Maybe I should brag about knowing people like most photographers do, and then I could get them faster. At least I got my credentials for Funkmaster Flex, but that's only because I'm going in with.... (Sorry, Bernie's not big on name dropping. But you'll see.)

To see the rest of Bernie's photos, just click here (2010 Stuntfest Car Show) and it'll take you right there

P.S. There was a Charger there with my favorite wheels (Asanti AF 143) that I want, but I didn't see if it was a dude driving it. You can't say that it was a girl's car because it's purple. It was only 5 years ago when a rapper from Harlem, whom we all know and love, had a pink Range Rover.

Next on Deck for Bernie... Part II

Since I don't remember when Part I was. Anyway, sorry it took me a minute to write this post. I know, I know, bad Bernie....

Anyway, I do have some shows coming up this month: Like the Funkmaster Flex Car Show as well as the NOPI Car Show, both of those are no where near Atlanta. Bernie's going on the road.

PLUS: I got sooooo many interviews I have to post, ON TOP OF THAT, I have some upcoming photo shoots and interviews with guys with some hot cars, some of which, you may recognize the vehicle, or you may recognize the person. Also I have shop reviews as well.

I have some teasers for you like:

















I'm not blowing the whistle on whose car this was below. You'll see in the interview.





But tomorrow, I will be recapping the 2010 Stuntfest Car Show that was on Sunday.

Riding Music: T.I. is Welcoming You Back to the Trap

(Photo by Jonathan Mannion... the Great)

The Rays of Sunshine at Grand Hustle believe in building anTIcipaTIon (I did that on purpose). I say that because first T.I. released I'm Back, then he released the trailer to his upcoming mixtape with DJ MLK and DJ Drama, THEN he released part 2 of the trailer, NOW they release the track "Welcome Back to the Trap" off of F' A Mixtape (Gotta keep it clean since Moms reads the blog, but she'll be the first one to ask for her copy of the mixtape).

Of course, I'm not one to lie, but "Welcome Back" has to grow on me. I don't hate it, it's not like "56 Bars" (Bernie's personal favorite T.I.P. song), however I'll play it in the 'Voy. But what do I know, I'm just a Yankee...

Anyway, you can listen below to the original version. I don't believe in playing edited music. It's pointless and this is not a radio station's blog. To download the song, click on the photo above, and it'll take you to MLK's page where you can choose between the Original version or the Edited version...

Project: Jason's at it again...

Tanqueray, yes the liquor, started a lifestyle blog called We Resist Simple. They talk to 14 individuals-- scratch that. They talk to 14 tastemakers, that sounds better, in different areas of entertainment. The two guys who's blogs that I read off of the site, are my favorite photographer in the whole wide world, Jonathan Mannion and co-CEO/Owner of Grand Hustle Records, Jason Geter.

(Photo from Weresistsimple.com)

I can remember when I first meet a lot of people. I can't do the dates, but I can remember when and where. I met Jason over a year ago, outside of his shop, Striver's Row. I remember the conversation we had about how small the Macy's is in the Parkchester section in the Bronx, totally random, but you know if it involves me, it'll be random.

(Photo from Weresistsimple.com)

According to his blog Jason has two old school vehicles, 1968 Chevy Camaro SS and a 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS (I told you Grand Hustle loves themselves some heavy engine vehicles...), and he's getting them restored. I didn't say customized because there's a difference between customized and restored, and judging by Jason's photos, there's some restoration being done.

(Photo from Weresistsimple.com)

I can't say much cause work is still being done, but the next time I see him, I will ask about the cars, see if I can go to the shop and take some photos, and once the vehicles are done, I'll see if I can get a shoot out of him. The shoot won't be for awhile, seeing how both of the guys Jason manages has albums coming out this year. I know I'm asking for a lot.

The Latest Thing Tiny and Monica Have In Common...

Within about 60 days, these two were able to receive the newest vehicle out of the Porsche family. Monica's came from her cousin, Polow Da Don, record producer and Tiny's came from T.I. and because it's truth, not here say, that's why Bernie's posting it.

They both have the Porsche Panamera, which is a four door premium midsize luxury car.

The MSRP for each model goes as follows, The Panamera S starts at $89,800, The Panamera 4S starts at $93,800, and The Panamera Turbo starts at $132,600.

Because I heard numbers for both, I believe that they have two different models. Monica's is in the ballpark of $110,000 (Panamera 4S), while Tiny's is in a different ballpark of $150,000 (Panamera Turbo).

I'll do the specs of the Panamera 4S and the Panamera Turbo.

Let's start with the 4S:

(Photo from Monica's Twitter)

4.4L V8 Engine with 400 horsepower with All Wheel Drive
Wheelbase is 115 inches, the car comes with 18 inch wheels, but Monica is bumping hers up to 22 inches
Length of the vehicle is 196 inches (Is it me, or is it very long. It's like an SUV, but it's not. A little smaller than Monica's previous vehicle, the R-Class Mercedes)
Height is 55.8 inches with the Width being 76 inches.
0-60: 4.8 Seconds with the top speed being 175 mph

(Photo from Monica's Twitter)

Now, Tiny's Panamera Turbo is a little different. I kind of figured that she would have the Turbo for that all their vehicles seem to have heavy engines.

Tiny has a Navy Blue one, but obviously this isn't it. I wasn't a fan of the photos that were out there, that's why I'm not posting them.

The Panamera Turbo's Specs has everything that the 4S has, but...

4.8L V8 Engine with 500 horsepower with All Wheel Drive
Wheelbase is still 115 inches, but the car comes with 19 inch wheels, and I'm sure that Tiny will not keep it stock.
Length, Height, and Width is still the same.
0-60 on the other hand is 4.0 seconds with the top speed being 188 mph.



It's okay on gas: 16 city and 24 on the highway. You gotta post about the gas because after that one summer (2008) when Atlanta had the gas shortage. Spending $5 a gallon after driving about 20 miles just to get gas is not fun.

I don't know what upgrades each of them have, so that's why I was working with the exterior and the engine specs.

I do remember when the pilot of Monica's Show, Still Standing, was on TV and there was one scene where she had to get some sneakers to Rocko and there was traffic. Monica did the unthinkable and drove on the sidewalk in a Mercedes S550 in Atlanta. Maybe it's good that she didn't get the Turbo one. I'm still looking for the video online.

Either way, I will be reaching out to both for interviews about the vehicles and original photography by me...

Update: Young Dro’s Cadillac Escalade EXT

*Note: These photos were taken June 2008 at Big Kuntry’s video shoot “The Baddest” in Atlanta.

At ANY Grand Hustle video shoot, you know there has to be cameos from whoever is affiliated with the label. Even though the song is Kuntry’s and it featured Trey Songz, it didn’t hurt that T.I.P, Lil’ Duval, DJ Drama, Xtacy, Fantasia (Well you know her brother is signed to the label as well), as well as the owner of this vehicle.

Dro pulls up in his 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT that was customized in a different way… I’ve never seen rose gold accents on a vehicle, but I’m all for originally. Let’s break this down…

Like I said before, instead of the silver accents, he went with rose gold accents. He added the accents to the side mirrors, rose gold to the air vents, rose gold door handles, rose gold to the running boards, rose gold… rose gold…. rose gold.



Dro put Asanti wheels on his truck… and made them rose gold. Because of lack of space in the wheel well, they look like they’re 26 inches, maybe 28s.

On the back of the vehicle, over the EXT, he added his name with the Iced Out Emblemz and made them sparkle.



Finally… the grille. He kept it stock… to a certain point. He rose gold it out, even the vent behind the grill. And instead of the Cadillac logo, he put his own.



Bless his heart, but I have two questions: Does he still have this truck, and if he does, what does in the interior look like??? And I've seen him a million times after I took these photos...

Update: He does still have this truck...



Told you. And this was just an ordinary day with Grand Hustle. And with them, it's never just an ordinary day. For more photos from this day, head to Just an ordinary day with Grand Hustle gallery @betrueatl.com

Ridin to The King Is Back...

If I'm gonna be talking about cars, why not provide links to some songs that I would play in my vehicle. It's only right, it's only fair. I'm not gonna post garbage, and I'm keeping it 100...






To kick off the Ridin Music section, why not provide a new song from T.I. called "I'm Back" (Click on the image to get the link). There will be A LOT more Ridin Music cause I always have a lot of music in the Envoy. Exclusives and favorites, but never garbage.