I can remember being 10 and getting down to “Rosa Parks” at the roller rink, gripping a bag of black cherry Warheads in my left hand with a suicide in my right. We all know how we feel about these two records. Whether you were in high school and ATLiens capped off your ride to school everyday or you just discovered Aquemini while digging through a friends records, point is most folks can remember where they were when they heard just one of the gems from either of these albums. Read the rest of this entry »
From my earliest memories of music, my mother always displayed her admiration for Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. Looking back on it, this is probably the reason why I’ve been such a big fan of dude seemingly my entire life. He’s a legend to say the least, but still doesn’t receive anywhere near the recognition he deserves. Read the rest of this entry »
Music is a young man’s game and a lingering question remains for Hip-Hop. What will happen to legends as they grow old? If KRS-One and Buckshot have anything to say, rap’s senior circuit will keep pumping out albums when they’re being spoon-fed warm peas in the local old folks home. Survival Skills, the latest tutelage from this new collaboration effort proves that both have plenty left to offer music fans in the twilight of their careers. Read the rest of this entry »
Last week, I caught the powerful video clip for “Fight Smack In The Orphanage“* as promo for the new Blaxploitation (been a while since you heard that word huh?) flick Black Dynamite. Today, I got this followup response from two jive turkeys — Black Firecracker TNT and Ebony Explosion — who want to counter Black Dynamite’s campaign against the perils of drugs. Read the rest of this entry »
I’m not one to go around calling other dudes tambourine shakers or anything as that seems to be the lowest, least clever form of hate. I instead like to focus on other things like, y’know, bad music or infantile temper tantrums. That is why I stay pretty mum when people say Kanye is suspect. Read the rest of this entry »
In the day of $70 tees, “exclusive, one of fifteen in production” sneakers going for over a stack and an economic recession, watching brands & designers bring the products back down to a fiscal reality is refreshing. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been paying closer attention to a handful who’ve made the move to help you save a few beans while still looking fly. As well, there are other brands making changes in their design & presentation that take away from depending on their lofty name & focusing on what matters most: quality. Here’s a few.
Freshjive drops labeling — After years of success in the clothing industry, Freshjive founder Rick Klotz had a moment of clarity & decided that slapping their logo on their gear was unnecessary.
Since I started Freshjive, I have had a personal conflict with this business of “branding.” In fact, I was so conflicted at one time, that I quit working. I am in the business of promoting the company brand yet personally I am not interested in items for the brand name. It’s a bit of a quagmire with me because I hate the culture of promoting a brand yet I enjoy designing clothes and t shirt designs.
Beginning with our spring 2010 line, we will no longer be using our brand logo or name on any of our product, including all labeling and t shirt designs. Nowhere on any product will our name or previous brand logo be used anymore. [Norml]
This one will depend on several factors. While the majority of Americans don’t mind buying into a brand (*raises hand), there are those who despise it. Assuming that both factions do demand quality & Freshjive’s already strong name, the company is on firm enough footing to pull off this move.
Al Harrington’s Protege A3Hsneakers — A few weekends ago, I spent a majority of my time watching NBA’s Greatest Games on NBA TV & they played Al’s commercial countless times. They definitely have a budget for marketing, considering the shoes only cost $15. Who would’ve imagined that my size 13 is sold out on Kmart’s site?
Fat Joe’s sneaker for K-Mart — Initially, Joe was going for a shoe to be called “The Recession.” Right alongside Al’s Protege model will be Joe’s sneaker, complete with a small TS logo across the midfoot. I’m sure that doesn’t signify “Tony Sunshine.” Nah, I kid I kid. Question his pedigree on a lot of fronts, but Joe’s a sneakerhead tried & true (whattup Macho!) so to see him give back in this manner is all the way respectable. What I can’t figure out is if both Joe & Al have the same model shoe, why his are going to be $35? Either way, at least today’s bobo’s don’t look like the cheap, pleather knockoffs from the 80′s. Upside down Swoosh signs & Voits were never the business.
Jeff Staple To Make Airwalks Exclusively For Payless — This had to be the one collaborative move no one expected out of designer Jeff Staples. Branding has propelled him to the heights of success. Let’s face the facts: the man has the Midas touch. the Pigeon Dunks & his designs for New Balance bring good bread in the sneaker community. For Pete’s sake, he was able to add the “x” to a collaboration with Kia Motors. Yet, partnering with Airwalk for STPL 4 Airwalk was something he wanted to do
“Payless has over 4,500 stores worldwide and has a much, much lower average price point than more renowned sneaker boutiques like Leaders or Commonwealth. ‘If you were a graf artist, you did the side of a train so everyone could experience your creation,’ Staple recounted in Collective’s press release on the partnership, ‘As a graphic designer, I want my works published and available for everyone to see.’ He makes a strong case. The sheer amount of stores he’ll have his name in, in this case they’ll be produced under the “STPL 4 Airwalk” name, would be difficult for anyone to pass up and more than that, Payless’ inexpensive price points make a product more accessible and available to a wider customer base.
‘What gets me most excited, though, is the reach of Payless. I feel like the age of ’1-of-24′ or ’1-of-100′ is becoming obsolete. If you were a graf artist, you did the side of a train so everyone could experience your creation. As a graphic designer, I want my works published and available for everyone to see. As a DJ, I want to play in front of the biggest possible crowd. So why shouldn’t this same philosophy hold true for sneaker design? I am really looking forward to reaching this wider audience and having a larger impact as a designer. Thanks Payless! [SC]‘ “
True enough and sure it “ruffled some pigeon feathers,” which the brand knows. But you can’t win worldwide fame by doing limited releases alone. And given skateboarding’s role in the resurgance of sneaker culture, it’s good to see one of the originators like Airwalk given a shot in the arm.
Absolut No Label Edition Vodka — In an attempt to embody the company’s motto — “In An ABSOLUT World, There Are No Labels” — they’ve stripped away all the labels. For a brand know for their witty advertising, this is just as ingenious as anything they’ve ever done. In the age of Obama & Beer Summits, they know what we all know — people can get drunk & all be friends.
If you were born into the 90′s, this one might not resonate with you. But if are in Teef’s age bracket & during your heydey you were smoking your first L, rocking your first African medallion (Raiders cap) and making your way around third base for the first time, you are here. Read the rest of this entry »
Stunning. Unique. Eye-catching. Radiant. There’s a slew of adjectives to describe the PlayStation Air Trainer I’s. Unattainable and/or expensive are other descriptors as there were reportedly only 24 pairs of these produced. Continuing with parts of speech, I’ll throw in an interjection like “wowsers!” to signify how impressive these are. Read the rest of this entry »
Ever since he was charged with murder, attempted murder and a slew of other charges, there’s been a silent, borderline unheard rebellious outburst and cry of injustice. Saigiddy took the time to project that voice and show support for his long time homie via this self-produced song and video directed by Three/21′s Derek Pike. Read the rest of this entry »
Here’s the dark horse trio of Brother Ali, Joell Ortiz and Freeweezy, dropping bars like hot potatoes over an extra funky cut from the Brother’s upcoming album, Us, which is already available for pre-order on Amazon. Read the rest of this entry »
The internet is a powerful tool when used correctly.
Affion Crockett seems to have grasped the medium pretty well with timely, humorous videos that pick on events in pop culture. The latest installment to hit his Youtube page is a spoof of the biggest head-scratching moment on BP3. Read the rest of this entry »
Masta Ace & EDO. G, recording under the moniker of A&E, dropping off the second leak from their upcoming album together. The track “A & E’s,” featuring Marsha Ambrosious doing hook duty. Arts & Entertainment will be in stores October 6th.
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