Each day, Complex will be releasing new content from the 2010 Style & Design Issue, our annual roundup of the people, products, and ideas pushing our culture. Visit the Style & Design Homepage for more.
Part of Complex's Style and Design package looks at the new style frontiers—the emerging areas that are helping to push global trends. Taipei, Taiwan has joined Asian trend powerhouses like Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai as an epicenter of new and cool stuff, and we've been checking it to see what's on the come-up. Jeffery Huang (AKA: Big Brother) of the Taiwanese hip-hop group Machi, and co-founder of Machi Entertainment, one of Asia's largest hip-hop record labels, runs the show over there, so we hit him for his personal take on this growing and exciting city. Hit the jump for Jeffery's list of 10 things you should be up on coming out of Taipei...
1. THE FAR EASTERN and THE TANGO
Jeffery Huang says: "I live in Taiwan, so I don't stay in the hotels, but I've certainly visited people who look like they're having a very luxurious time at these two hotels. They are upscale, special spots, very classy. Also I hear—and I reiterate, hear—that the love hotels here are more pimp than Vegas."
2. PRIMO
Jeffery Huang says: "I opened an exclusive club, Primo, that's worth a visit. It's near the Warner Village area where all the nightlife happens. It's full of celebs and models."
3. GIRLS
Jeffery Huang says: "What can I say? We have some of the most attractive and friendly girls around. I've been all around the world many times, and Taiwan takes it. Did I mention that they are attractive?"
4. BOBA MILK TEA
Jeffery Huang says: "This is a drink that originated from Tea Street on the East Side. Delicious. The East Side is also an area where the young and dangerous hang out, might be worth looking into."
5. NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM
Jeffery Huang says: "Taiwan has the largest collection of Chinese artifacts, even more than China itself. This museum has more than 500,000 items, all from the Forbidden City, of which only a fraction is on display at any one time. "
6. OPEN SPACES
Jeffery Huang says: "I'm a big fan of the open spaces. I love CKS Memorial Hall almost more than anything, with the big plaza there between the Music and Theater Halls. It's where I go running. I think it's one of the most beautiful places in the world."
7. DJ MYKAL
Jeffery Huang says: "We are the epicenter for Chinese music. Everyone knows the popular stars like Jay, Jolin and Stanley, but not many know our #1 DJ, Mykal. He has a unique twist of mixing Asian songs with hits from the States that gives a very hip, unique vibe."
8. ANG LEE
Jeffery Huang says: "The famous director Ang Lee is from the island, and has created film gems like Eat, Drink, Man, Woman and The Banquet. More recently the films Cape No. 7 and Monga have been the rage in Asian cinema."
9. STRANGELOVE WATCH
Jeffery Huang says: "My childhood friend Leo, who's an exceptional designer, started this company. His creations, fashion-forward timepieces, have been garnering a lot of international attention." www.strangeloveinc.com
10. BANGKOK
Jeffery Huang says: "Our capitol Bangkok is really the best place... Oh, wait. Taiwan isn't Thailand? Shit. Just print it, I guess. Haaa..."
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