LM teamed up with DJ Sourmilk for a little mixtape project that features a recap of all the tunes from season one of Maestro Knows. Downloading it now so I let you know how it goes. If you want in on it you can download it here. Better believe there will be some Soulja Boy on the mix....Turn My Swag On.
Former Chief Executive Officer of Vibe Media Group, Steven Aaron, announced today that Vibe Magazine has officially closed shop. Vibe was one of the last remaining largely circulated hip-hop and R&B focused monthly publication (the last being The Source). Vibe was just putting the final touches on their Michael Jackson tribute magazine when employees got the news.
Fernando Cwilich Gil sat down with legendary sneaker aficionado Bobbito Garcia to chat kicks and his latest project with Pro-Keds. Garcia provides some great insight to into his personal collection, favourite spots in New York to grab a bite, and favourite spots to track down footwear. As of late, it seems to be a common trend for footwear enthusiasts and designers is to tackle projects with the less mainstream footwear companies that usually get sidelined by sneaker boutiques. Earlier this year we saw Jeff Staple attempt to revive Airwalk and now Bobbito Garcia for Pro-Keds. It will be interesting to see the price point on these shoes when they come out in Fall 'o9.You had a streetball / Hip Hop show on an Ivy league jazz radio station. That’s not really a question, more of an observation.
And a good one. I had the world’s first-ever talk radio program discussing playground basketball on WKCR 89.9FM. It was called On the Fence, and came on earlier in the evening every Thursday before me and Stretch Armstrong’s hip hop show. I also wrote the first article on sneaker culture in media history, titled “Confessions of a Sneaker Addict.” It ran in Source magazine in 1991. I also hosted the first TV series ever dedicated to sneaker culture, called It’s the Shoes, which ran for two seasons on ESPN. I could go on but I’ll stop there!
What kicks do you have on permanent ice?
There is no pair on permanent ice in my closet—everything gets worn at some point! There are definitely joints that only come out on special occasion when they’ll be a good amount of heads that will understand what’s on the feet and can appreciate it.
What’s the illest pair of kicks you ever owned?
The illest kicks I might’ve ever owned were the Nike Air Force 1s that I painted circa 1990. I made a white/chocolate store-bought pair and customized them into a pumpkin/white/chocolate creation. Cats were offering me money on the block to do theirs after that! I was years ahead of any brand in terms of doing three-color combos that were off-beat and not team related. It was a good moment. As a kid, my transition shoe from wearing skippies to something official was the Super Pro-Ked. That was in 1975 when I was nine years old. Before that, I was a scrub in the sneaker world!
How do you feel about clubs that frown on sneakers?
I don’t feel any kind of way about clubs that frown on sneakers. I just don’t patronize them! Every venue is entitled to their own rules though, I guess. I’ve never been bounced from a club for wearing sneakers, but I’ve been spinning at APT for almost nine years, and I can tell you that the security may at times not let dudes in who are in a suit and wearing shoes! For real! It’s a real chill vibe, and I play soulful dance music, so you kind of have to wear kicks to get your groove on proper and be comfortable, I guess.
What spots do you like to eat and drink at in New York?
I don’t drink alcohol, but I love to get my eat on, and there are a plethora of ridiculously yummilicious spots I frequent, including Il Bagatto, Camarada’s, Café Latte, Kiosk, and Strictly Roots.
What’s the most you’d pay for a pair of sneakers?
I’ve never spent more than $140 for a pair of sneakers (Lebron VI U. of Akron exclusives), and that was just this year. Before that, my highest was $110 (Asic Gel Nimbus VII). Luckily, most of the brands send me shoes for review in my Bouncemagazine “Let’Em Marinate” column.
Best sneaker store in the world?
Wow. You’re gonna get me in trouble! That’s hard to say. For me, it’s about stores with friendly, knowledgeable service and a selection that challenges the customer. Sure, there are the tier-zero accounts that get all the exclusives, but then everyone knows about them and there is no surprise factor. I like to take chances, always have, and that’s how I earned my rep in the playground basketball and hip hop worlds for having sneakers that no one else knows. So why do you think I’d tell you where I shop? Hahaha! Goliath on 105th Street, Training Camp on 116th Street off Lenox, and Paragon’s are amongst the stores I currently check up on inventory. The Vault on 8th Avenue between 133rd and 134th streets, too.
You ever think sneakerheads take the shit too seriously?
C’mon, man! Read my book Where’d You Get Those? New York City’s Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987 for an in-depth exploration of your question. I can’t retell what I wrote in it any better.
Why should people cop your limited edition Pro-Keds Royal Flash? You give Keds love in your book, but certain heads might think of them as “those kids’ shoes.” Was that perception a pro or a con?
I’ve already done collabs, including Adidas for the Superstar model 35th anniversary as well as with Nike for their Air Force 1 25th anniversary. I don’t think I can work with more recognized brands or iconic shoes more than that. I love challenges, and when Pro-Keds approached me about jumping in on the 30th anniversary of the Royal Flash, man ... I was more energized about it than the previous ones because I could’ve done the worst color combos and fabrics on my “shell toe” and AF1, respectively, and it still would’ve sold out. Everyone buys those with their eyes closed, they are two of the biggest sellers in the history of the industry. But to do a Royal Flash by Bobbito, and freak it well enough that it would turns heads to want to wear them? Now that’s interesting! Keds were perceived as kids and women’s shoes; however Pro-Keds were absolutely the brand of choice here in NYC during the glory period of playground basketball and hip hop in the ‘70s. When I wear them now, it’s only adults of my generation or older who stop me on the street and say, “What! Where can I cop those? I used to rock those back in the days!” So it will be rewarding to reintroduce a model originally was released in ‘79, but hasn’t been seen since. And my hope, and belief, is that young kids will take to the Royal Flash the same way my crew did. We didn’t see some NBA player endorsing it. It was simply a beautifully designed shoe that had high performance ranks to play in as well. And that’s what sold it. And heads in Harlem ate those up. In all the annals of Pro-Ked basketball history, the Royal Flash was their most flavorful, and functional, sneaker. I professed that in my book when it was released in 2003, way before I knew I was gonna wind up doing a collab!
Sneakerheads and conspiracies go together like stoops and White Owls: That said, why did Bush knock down the towers?
We’ll all find out a decade from now when the government papers get released to the public and the agencies continue their path towards just transparency ...
(Photo by Wes Driver)
We got a sneak peak of these last week when Maestro was in town. Ray gifted Maestro and BJ with a couple of these fitteds that made cameos in Tour Edition episode 4. These two New Eras are part of the first delivery of summer 2009. You have the Mighty Stripe New Era in a black wool featuring a quadruple stacked M with a yellow button and side banner. Second up is the Champ & Varsity cap featuring a patterned under brim and MH interlocking logo.
Diamond Supply Co will be releasing a Michael Jackson Tribute tee this week. The tee will be limited to 50 pieces and drop at 12pm over on the Diamond online store.
The rubber interpretation of the Nixon Player must be a hot commodity as Nixon continue to release it in fresh new colorways. The Player is likely the most iconic watch silhouette or design they have put forth. Following up the yellow of last month is a black and purple colorway. The watch is currently available at 80s purple for $170 USD.
I personally used to be fixed upon the Oakley Icon bags but Nike SB continues to put out a solid line of backpacks with a pretty respectable price point. This time around they give us a subtle biege suede and canvas colorway that is available at Premier for $100 USD. Clean.
Supreme is having an unheard of sale online. A lot of the items are sold out but if you make your way over there quick you may still be able to get a gem. All items are 30%.
3sixteen recently released four ties which include a Citrus Plaid, Indigo Chambray, Navy Check Tie, and Deep Blue Linen. The ties are all handmade in NYC which seems to be a reoccurring theme with the collection. The ties are 2.5" across at the widest point. Perfect for a formal or semi casual summer day. The ties are currently available on their webstore for $77 USD.
LA Boutique, El Mercado, has partnered with Elm Company for a
Where Eagles Dare recently sat down with Johan 'Yo' Esbensen founder and co-owner of Rogue Status and DTA. I have always been curious as to the formation of the brand and this interview really gives some great insight.
This weeks installment features the musical tastes of 3sixteen founder and co-owner Andrew Chen. Andrew started the New York-based apparel line back in 2003 with a close friend, all while maintaining a 9 to 5. After a falling out a few years into the project, the two decided to go their separate ways. After some serious deliberation, Andrew decided to stick with the brand and focus all of his energy into his passion. In January 2006 Andrew quit his job, brought on new partner Johan Lam, and re-launched the brand.
You can download this weeks playlist here. Enjoy.
If you feel so inclined to check out the collection first hand you can make your way over to Openhouse Gallery in Nolita for Michael Williams (A Continuous Lean) and Randy Goldberg's Pop Up Flea taking place Friday to Sunday.
Might as well continue fueling the CNCPTS Lobster hype train. The guys at Lavishlivez caught some footage of Concepts store owner, Tarek Hassan, rocking these yellow and purple Lobsters at the Blue Lobster release this past weekend. My guess is they are either samples or a seriously limited run for friends and family. Rumor is circulating that they were produced in a run of 36. I guess time will tell.
The 3sixteen x Quoddy Deck Chukka collaboration popped up online today for preorder. The handmade custom silhouette is exclusive to 3sixteen and only available online.
Stumbled across a Pinkberry today on Spring Street and thought I would introduce my girlfriend to the swirly frozen goodness. I was actually introduced to the yogurt chain during my interview with Bobby Kim back in November. As you can see Meagen was quite satisfied by her 'huge' helping.
I might as well do a weekly Frogskin update. This week we have a nice change of scenery, the Oakley x Japanese retailer Beams collaboration. This time we are served a pair of black and brown tortoise frames with clear lenses.
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