NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH DJ LAZY

New Year's Eve at the orpheum
with
dj lazy and funk jesus
live music by
HISTORY
GREY MARKET
& special performance by
BC of Red Tide

GET ON THE GUEST LIST NOW!!!

kill the keg till midnight
$4 jager bombs all night

EVERYBODY in TAMPA,


ORPHEUM NYE GUEST LIST IS NOW OPEN!


just hit us up with your FULL NAME to: http://www. myspace. com/theorpheum


HELP US OUT AND PLEASE REPOST THIS

A.R.C X New Balance 1300

A.R.C X New Balance 1300 collaboration will be released at Alife Rivington Club’s new Sports Store located across the street from their current store, in Lower East Side New York, opening in January. The shoes come in two colorways with a large A.R.C logo on the tongue. This is the first collaboration from A.R.C that makes it to retail. I really need this release. Like a diabetic needs insulin!

Royce Da 5'9" video "Shake This"

I don't know how or when he did it but Royce Da 5'9" has climbed into my top emcee list. He even puts himself as close as possible to the legendary Casual as my favorite "guest emcee."(i.e. the emcee who always outshines the artist who he is appearing with as a featured guest)
Royce drops fire on producer Copperpot's album. Go back and listen to him kill it with slim shady back in the day. He also sucks up all the oxygen on the EV records compilation. His work with both DJ Premier and Statik Selektah is pretty close to untouchable lyrically. The guy is sick and can always be counted on for a go to / rewind kinda verse.
He is also working on his Premier-assisted retail release, Street Hop

, the lead single of which is "Shake This," also produced by Preemo. The video to the song is currently circulating the internet, and the project is set for March 2009.

Cocaine Blunts and Hip Hop Tapes Just Nailed it on The Head

I agree with most if not all of what Noz has to say about critics in 2008

To hear the tastemakers tell it, the worst album of Lil Wayne’s career is the best rap album of 2008. And one of just two rap albums mentioned on Pitchfork’s year end wrap up (not even honorably).

No Jeezy (whose OMG! RECESSION! hook was almost tailor made for the pitchforkian “we like rappers who are smart but not smarter than we are” perspective) or Killer Mike (he of twelfth best single of 2006 fame) or Gucci Mane (who should’ve been this year’s Cam’Ron to people whose entire relationship with hip hop entails laughing with/at? it) or Z-Ro (who wallows in misery and self doubt better than any of the unwashed white folks who made the Pitchfork list). Not even The Fucking Roots (who put out a better album this year than all the other ones they put out in the ~eight year period when non-rap critics were fawning over them.) And yeah, The Mixtape About Nothing was cute, but not even Wale would try to tell you it was the second best rap album of the year.

But none of these acts need Pitchfork love. With the exception of maybe The Roots, it’s not like pitchfork kids were actually buying these types of records or going to those artist’s concerts, apart from their one off date at the Knitting Factory.

It’s an embarrassing time to be a music critic.

read more of this article/essay at cocaine blunts and hip hop tapes and subscribe to his blog!!!

realMad Hectic x Mita Sneakers x New Balance MT580 14 & 15th edition

Now in its 15th Edition the New Balance/realmad hectic collaboration keeps going strong. Two new colourways dropped in Japan on November 28th. The new colourways are sweet and I'm feelin' the green and purple the most. Below is a pic of the 14th edition of the colabo that I don't think I got around to posting on here. I like the iridescent color in the toebox on these...alot!

New Balance A16 Woven Suede Pack

New Balance have stepped up their game in the end of 2008. Keeping in tune with their latest trend, we get a look at the A16 model done up in buttery blue and khaki suede colorways. Aside from the nicely executed uppers are exceptional intricate detailing including a woven brothel creeper like toebox with leather piping that is just an absolute eye-catcher. Although both models are samples, they are now available for pre-order at atmos Japan with the final product outcome not expected to vary much from is initial stage.

N.A.S.A. drops new single and video for "Money"

N.A.S.A., the group project masterminded by the New York-based DJ/producer Sqeak E. Clean (and sibling of Spike Jonze) and his Brazilian friend DJ Zegon features collaborations with David Byrne (of talking heads fame), Chuck D, Seu George, Ras Congo and DJ Z-Trip, on the latest single "Money." They've already released the Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li collabo "Gifted."
"Andre The Giant has a Posse" graphic designer Shepard Fairey of Obey fame supplied the incendiary animated imagery used in the song's Syd Garon and Paul Griswold-directed video clip?

"Money" is from N.A.S.A.'s forthcoming debut album, 'The Spirit of Apollo,' which is scheduled for release on February 17th, 2009. N.A.S.A. stands for North America, South America in case you were wondering and is in no way related to producer/engineer NASA of Def Jux fame.

Check out "gifted"

The Hip Hop Wars

Brown University’s Tricia Rose, the Author of the famous Black Noise, has released a new title, ‘The Hip Hop Wars’. “Does hip-hop cause violence, or merely reflect a violent ghetto culture? Is hip-hop sexist, or are its detractors simply anti-sex? Does the portrayal of black culture in hip-hop undermine black advancement?” The book is available at Amazon.

mita sneakers x Lacoste M85 Mid

The well known Japanese sneaker store mita sneakers has seen itself at the center of numerous collaborations as the retailer lines up with Lacoste on this newly created M85-Mid style. A taller version of the popular Missouri 85, the shoe features a mixture of different patterns including hexagons and croc. Available starting January 2009.

Source: Sneaker Freaker

Masta Ace "true hip hop stories"

know yer history!!!
courtesy d-nice

True Hip-Hop Stories: Masta Ace from D-Nice on Vimeo.

The Grouch is awesome!!! Video

eYe Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons x New Balance 1500

As part of the eYe Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons MAN collection, we get a look at the popular New Balance 1500 done up in blue. They are scheduled to release as a Japan exclusive with a premium price point of ¥31,000 (Approx. $331 USD).

Source: Tenisufki

Optimystik x mita sneakers x New Balance A03 Pack

Teaming up with New Balance, Japanese clothing brand Optimystik and mita Sneakers cook up another collabo featuring the outdoorsy New Balance A03 model. Two colorways were created, both following a rugged outdoors approach implementing wool with sherpa fur lining. Adding a new age touch, both pairs feature metallic leather with the use of 3M, hologram threading, and metal lace grommets topped off with hiking boot laces. Available now via mita’s online store.

New Balance MT580 2009 Spring Collection

With New Balance’s largely Japanese-exclusive MT580 seeing a more wide-spread distribution scheme in 2008, here’s a preview of what’s potentially to land at accounts around the world next year. Three easy to match colorways are surely going to please traditional New Balance enthusiasts including everybody’s favorite in mesh toeboxes. I love the MT580 shoe but have been largely disappointed with the American offerings so far.

Source: juebankongjian

United Arrows x New Balance CM997.5

Utilizing the New Balance 997 for their latest collaboration with New Balance, Japanese retailer United Arrows offers two variations of the classic. Paying homage to the shoe’s roots, an OG colorway can be seen alongside a more vibrant and brighter version which includes pink and purple highlights. Ironically these shoes are made in the USA but only available in Japan...sigh! Available now at United Arrows.

UNDFTD Japan x New Balance H574J “Man vs. Wild” Pack

Taking it’s moniker from from the well known Discovery Channel program, Undefeated’s Eddie Cruz cooks up two colorways in New Balance’s H574J model, a hybrid of their M574 and H710 hiking boots. The rugged outdoors platform sticks to its roots with a traditional alpine outdoor theme featuring olive green camouflage print adding a military aspect which exemplifies a struggle for survival most certainly reflected by the show’s “Man vs. Wild” set theme. Both color schemes are slated for a December 20th release at Undefeated Japan flagship locations. Retail will be set at ¥14,490 (Approx. $160 USD)

Source: Stussy JP

Sleaze Friday Night @ The Orpheum

2% mixin drinks

lazy mixin tunes

etc

The Rise Of Science Performing Live In Tampa

The Rise Of Science (ATL) simply spectacular
Ocean Is Theory (ATL)
Tides Of Man (Tampa Bay)
Silas (Tampa Bay)
Corline (Tampa)

doors at 7pm
shows starts 7:30
all ages
$8

no joke. if you ever thought you liked live music then this is the show for you. Rise Of Science simply blew us away the last time they were in tampa and unfortunately their show was not well attended. So we added some of our favorite local bands to the show and decided we'd leave it up to you. Go check 'em out at their pages and tell us we're wrong. Tell us they aren't fucking killer! We dare you!! This show is really not to be missed.


The Rise of Science - Short Comings can be Incomplete - Live

DJ REVOLUTION “KING OF THE DECKS” DROPS SEPT. 16 ON DUCK DOWN RECORDS

DJ Revolution said it best in a recent interview, "the connection between the DJ and the emcee has been severed. "King of The Decks" is my attempt at reconnecting it." Revolution did just that with his new album, as he brought together some of the most talented names in Hip Hop today, who not only produce quality music, but also respect the craft of the DJ Culture.

Revolution has spent 15 years perfecting that craft on the turntables. He's currently behind the wheels of the longest running Hip Hop show in the history of commercial radio, "THE WORLD FAMOUS WAKE UP SHOW" alongside Sway & King Tech.

"My goal is to re-introduce to the world what a DJ is. He or she is not just a celebrity, or someone who plays records, or makes funny sounds with turntables. I recruited some of the most legendary and also most talented up and coming artists to help me express all of this within the context of the music. The album drops on September 16th on Duck Down Records. Go get it!

Download: DJ Revolution "The DJ" ft KRS One

Tracklisting (all songs produced DJ Revolution except where noted):
1.) Intro f/Jazzy Jeff
2.) King Of The Decks f/ Sean Price & Tash
3.) THE DJ f/ KRS ONE
4.) Do My Thing f/ Guilty Simpson & Royce Da 5' 9"
5.) LADJ (skit)
6.) Funky Piano f/ Bishop Lamont, Crooked I, Styliztik Jones
7.) For The Kids (skit)
8.) The Big Top f/ Special Teamz
9.) Start The Revolution f/ Boot Camp Clik
10.) Scratch Nerds (skit)
11.) Invaders from the Planet Sqratch f/ DJ Qbert
12.) EY! f/ Joell Ortiz and Termanology (Produced by DJ Revolution & DJ Numark)
13.) Casualties of Tour f/ Rakaa Iriscience (produced by Marco Polo)
14.) Damage f/ Blaq Poet & Bumpy Knuckles
15.) Willie Lynch f/ Styliztik Jones and KBimean
16.) The Biggest Up f/ DJ Premier (Skit)
17.) Blow Da Spot f/ Strong Arm Steady
18.) School f/ Planet Asia
19.) Spit Ridiculous f/ Defari
20.) Pro's & Con's f/ Evidence
21.) Calling Haul (Skit)
22.) Man or Machine
23.) The Set Up f/ Sway & King Tech
24.) The Re-Match f/ DJ Spinbad

The Mighty Underdogs "Droppin' Science Fiction"

Ok, I'll admit that I'm extremely biased here. I could blog about this collaborative, super-group, album without ever hearing a single track and I'd still have nothing but love and compliments for it. The Mighty Underdogs are already hip hop royalty. Lateef and Gift of Gab have been on my top emcee list for over a decade (since the Solesides days) and I've been turned on to Headnodic since I initially heard his work and posted about it right here on kicks-n-jams. Add in the fact that it gets the co sign from indie, hip hop heavyweight, Definitive Jux AND features appearances from Zion I, Chali 2na, Tash (of Tha Liks), MF Doom, DJ Shadow, Damian Marley, Mr. Lif & more. Suddenly this album is lookin' like the monster underground hit of '08. How did I not hear a thing about it until now??? Not even a whisper...
I'm glad I did and you will be too when you check out this track! "War Walk" features Tash, Chali 2na, Zion I, & Raashan Ahmad and sets off an album that you're gonna wanna go pick up. I know I am. It drops October 14th on Def Jux. GO GET IT!!!

Download: The Mighty Underdogs "War Walk"

New Balance MT580 Luggage Collection

The new New Balance MT580 Luggage Collection has been released. It consists of 3 colorways of the MT580, all three coming with premium materials and nice color-ups. Inspired by the classic travel luggage brands, New Balance once again takes their inspiration from something different than most other sneaker companies.

The collection has been released at Atmos, but will also make it overseas to the US and Europe, which are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the New Balance 580 model. I will admit that I slept on these for a long time despite my friend John telling me how dope they were. Now that I've seen some hi-res pics and the nice materials I am completely on board. They rock!!

Nike Drops The Pantone Pack

As part of their Fall 2008 collection Nike presents the "Pantone" pack. Here we show you the Air Max 1 and the Blazer High out of the collection. The pack was inspired by the Olympic colors and is now available at Proper. I dig these flashy fellas. They remind of the Real Mad Hectic X New Balance collabo and I loooove those!

Is Charles Hamilton the Next Generation Of Hip Hop?

You tell me...
With his self-produced mixtape "Outside Looking" hosted by DJ Green Lantern praised by the likes of Pharrell and Eminem and a forthcoming album, via Interscope in the first quarter of 2009. Jimmy Iovine's newest signee, Charles Hamilton produces and writes all his own music and plays multiple instruments at the very young age of 20.
Already profiled by NY Times, XXL, Complex, The Fader, Trace, and Vibe Magazines, and Allhiphop.com, Okayplayer, Hiphopdx.com, DJbooth.net, Hiphopgame.com, Ballerstatus.com, Onsmash.com and the New Music Cartel among others; Charles Hamilton seems like a name you need to know!!
"If tomorrow I get dropped from my label, I'm not going back to a comfortable apartment. I'm homeless, again. I abandoned a negative lifestyle to achieve happiness in music. I'm watching my dreams unfold right in front of me, in my own zone. Reality, or as I call it, "The Lavalamp Zone."
The kid has worked with MC Lyte, freestyled with The Game and Kanye West, and successfully turned the punk pop song "Low Self-Esteem" by the Offspring into a hot hip hop track (check his mixtape!!). I'd say he has a pretty good shot at success...we'll see.
Charles updates his blog daily with his sonic philosophy at www.iamnotcharleshamilton.com

Download: "Outside Looking" mixtape (hosted by Green Lantern)

Download: "Brooklyn Girls"

Team Capcom Live At The Orpheum July 25th

A sweet hip hop show this friday at the Orpheum!!! Doors @ 10 PM
Featuring:
Eyeznpowa (aka Heaven Hates Hobos)
Halos For Hookers
Gravy Records
& hosted by DJs Ran Mecca & Dan Only

Sole Obsession x New Balance 991 1 of 1

On a recent trip to New Balance’s legendary Flimby factory in the UK for a preview of the 2009 NB range, Singaporean sneaker boutique Sole Obsession was afforded a great opportunity to create an ultra-rare 1 of 1 sneaker. Coinciding with the push New Balance is offering to the 99X series of running shoes in 2009, the Sole Obsession design is seen on a 991 in association with a colorway seen on an upcoming retro color of the New Balance 850. Premium materials are all but expected emanating out of the Flimby factory and can be seen in the form of croc/nubuck uppers. Due to the limited availability of this, don’t expect it to ever see a release. But it sure looks cool!!

The Cool Kids "That's Stupid" The Mixtape

The Cool Kids follow up their extra dope and unbelievably buzzed "Bake Sale" EP (go get it!!!) with a new mixtape: "That's Stupid."
You can go to their myspace page and download the entire 25 minute mix. Look for the Kids on the Rock The Bells Summer '08 tour coming to a city near you. If you live in Florida it is August 2nd in Miami.
Here is a track from the mixtape.

Download: Cool Kids "Box Of Rocks"

The Racism Conversation "A How To Guide For Beginners"

illdoctrine is the shit!!!

Santogold x Diplo:: "Guns of Brooklyn"

I've really been in a Diplo kinda headspace lately. He seems unable to do any wrong this year. More from that Santogold + Diplo mixtape that just dropped: here they cover "Guns of Brixton." Go check it at Mad Decent, and go buy Top Ranking: A Diplo Dub here.

SNEAKERSNSTUFF x New Balance 577

Get ready for this quality collabo between Sneakers-N-Stuff N New Balance. SNS celebrates it's 10 year anniversary with a dope 577 2 pack. Each pair designed by one of the owners of SNS. Drops August 15.

Hip Hop Flavors Radio Show Streaming For You!!!

This weeks show was really really really good in my opinion. I am gettin' the hang of my new hardware and the mixes were nice and smooth. Plus I banged out a ton of dope new tracks from The Glitch Mob, Theophilus London, Abdominal, Pain Language (aka DJ Muggs & Planet Asia), Ras Kass, Doomtree, Pacific Division, and a ton more (go check the show listing if you don't wanna take my word for it). Three hours of sizzling hotness!! Somebody should book me at a club I'm killin' it so hard lately! (yep I'm really feelin' myself hahaha)

Go here and listen to Hip Hop Flavors this week and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Busdriver & 2Mex at their very best video

SonGodSuns - Mirrors Into Fire
Busdriver is headed to Tampa this summer with the Flobots. It is Tuesday July 29th at the State Theatre in St. Pete. I'm going, you should too!!

Jean Grae & 9th Wonder Drop "Jeanius" on Blacksmith

Ok, I love Jean Grae! She is probably the most talented female emcee in the game today. Strike that, one of the most talented emcees in the game, male, female, or martian. Unfortunately she has no gimmick, no significant label backing, and thus no mainstream attention. What to do, what to do?
Well, there is one way to solve this problem. Put her together with a star making producer! Blacksmith (aka Talib Kweli's boutique label) grabs 9th Wonder and prays that he can do for Jean what he did for Murs, and Little Brother. Personally, I preferred Murs' work before he mixed with 9th and I have never been a great fan of Little Brother's combined work. Phonte and Pooh have made some nice solo stuff. But I digress. This is Jean's last chance to break through. If she doesn't do it now she probably never will. "Jeanius" is out everywhere and Jean deserves your attention. Listen to the single "This World" and then go check out the album here. Plus the album cover is a cool tribute to old school hip hop. I dig it!
Download: Jean Grae "This World"

New Balance X Frontline Shop 576 Collabo

Take a gander at the upcoming Frontline Shop x New Balance 576. Designed by Lars Holzbrecher and Robin Jungermann of The Hyde, the sneaker comes in a nice mix of classic and new design. I think New Balance saw the runaway popularity of the Solebox Purple Devils and connected the dots. Solid front color combined with dark back color. It works...

It will be released next week in a limited edition of 150 pairs in the Frontlineshop Selected department .

New Balance Spring 2009 sneak peak

With an almost endless back catalog of trainer silhouettes to choose from New Balance Europe continues with their throwbacks pulling this coming Spring 2009 from their 80's back catalog. New colourways in the 1300 model will appear, as well as the 455, 850, and the P785 Legacy basketball Court trainers. The colors on all these kicks are just superb and I am waiting in deep anticipation of their release.

You should also look out for the premium offering from New Balance featuring the CT lowtop court shoes in exellent leathers.

New Balance X 24 Kilates 1500 Collabo

Spanish boutique 24 Kilates has once again teamed up with New Balance on the legendary 1500 model to produce this Joan Miró joint. Continuing with their theme of paying homage to Catalan artists, Miro’s style and color palette fit well with the generally more color liberal population of the Southern parts of Europe. This is not quite as dope as the Gaudi design from 24 Kilates & New Balance (covered here) but definitely a strong shoe. No word yet on a release date.

Source: glltn

Colette X Onitsuka Tiger Collaboration

Check out this collaboration project between Paris’ famous boutique Colette and the legendary Onitsuka Tiger shoe company. Featuring white leather uppers along with a super cool star pattern all-over print, these high tops definitely hold the Colette signature, not to mention a certain shade of blue the French boutique is known for using. No exact release info is available but stay tuned for further details.

Source: High Snobiety

Short Bus Alumni Drops "Mr. T's Revenge" July 22nd

SHORT BUS ALMUNI rep the ATL on their debut disc, "Mr. T's Revenge" The album drops on July 22 from Brick Records and this is one of the best cuts on the disc 'Go team Go"
...this one is on some party-rocking fun shit, complete with catchy chorus and ill beat courtesy of producer Clockwork, with guest rhymes by Raydar Ellis and more...support this crew! pick up the new album on July 22nd!!

Download: Short Bus Alumni "Go Team Go"

Nas' new Album Drops july 15th!! Plus Video

Has anyone noticed that the entire Nas album has been leaked over the last week or so? Here at kicks-n-jams you got the "hero" track (go check it here) that I think is the standout of the bunch. I'm also kinda feelin' this track, "We're Not Alone." More laid back than the "Hero" track but still lyrically potent.

Download: Nas "We're Not Alone"

Check The "Hero" video right here

Fakts One "Long Range" Drops July 22 Audio

Here is another track from Fakts One's long, long lost debut, "Long Range" (which will be released on July 22nd), its entitled "Don't Stop" and it features the Boot Camp Clik. Fakts produced the track and Steele from Smif N Wessun added some additional arrangement as well.

Download: Fakts One "Don't Stop"

Unravel The Mystery Of True Blood

This is somethin' else! Go to Bloodcopy and read the blog from the beginning.

Vordul Mega Drops "Megagraphitti" Sophomore LP and Video

So I dropped that Vast Aire track on you last week. Now here is the lead-single and title track from Vordul Mega's upcoming sophomore solo-LP "Megagraphitti." There will be two Cannibal Ox (Vordul Mega and Vast Aire) reunion tracks on the LP and El-P will also be adding production (re-uniting the creative collaboration that spawned "The Cold Vein")!! "The Cold Vein" is the album that arguably established EL-P's label, Definitive Jux as a major player in the indie hip hop world.

"Megagraphitti" was produced by Dev One, who also produced tracks on Vordul's solo-debut.
Check the VIDEO HERE

Download: Vordul mega "Megagraphitti"

New Balance "Chinese Opera Mask" Exclusive

New Balance just got funky on that ass like an ole batch a collard greens!!! This shit here, this shit here, this shit here!?!?!?!?! That ole shit wasn't nuthin', it wasn't nuthin'. This shit here, this shit here...
The Asian New Balance design team has already debuted the 576 Chinese Opera Pack (reviewed on Kicks-n-Jams previously right here) but now they've just mixed it up in a blender and delivered a whole new treat for your feet! Drawing on the inspired Leftover Pack theme, (check that right here) New Balance drops a limited version (576 pairs available only in Southeast Asian markets) Chinese Opera 576 that delivers a different colorway for each foot!!! I thought I loved the original opera pack but these have just sent me into paroxysms of shoe geek joy!!!
High quality materials mixed with an overall red and green colorway and combined with multiple Chinese Opera signifiers (check the tongue, mask, heel, and lace lock) set off this well thought out sneaker. STREEThing is gonna deliver an interview with the designers and I for one cannot wait to read it.