New Balance x WoodWood 670

New Balance has definitely gotten more active in the collaboration game. This time they got together with brand/shop WoodWood. WoodWood worked on the New Balance 670, gave it a blue/purple suede upper and an orange lining.

The sneaker is "Made in UK" and will be released December 1st at the WoodWood store in Copenhagen, the WoodWood online store and at Colette. The New Balance x WoodWood 670 is limited to 96 pairs worldwide! Via Loglife.

The Faculty "Feel it" Jake One remix ft DJ Romes

Just got some new music from Oxnard, CA's The Faculty featuring production by Jake One. This is the second single off of their debut album "Phar From Home," which is IN STORES and on iTunes now.

Download "Feel It" remix

This single comes hot on the heels of their first single "He's Mine," Kicks-n-jams is excited to leak this new remix featuring DJ Romes (Lootpack) on the cuts.

Stacy Epps "Skin" ft Madlib

Stacy Epps' soulful voice and skillful rhyme style has propelled her into collaborations with Madlib, MF Doom, Jneiro Jarel, Oh No and more. She's a seasoned artists who I was first introduced to during her collaboration with Lil Sci of Scienz Ov Life called, Sol Uprising. Stacy has also released a solo album, "Ruff Drafts". Expect to hear more of Stacy Epps on her upcoming album, "The Awaking."

Download "Skin" ft. Madlib on JapaNubia Musik

Chromeo "Tenderoni" Kid Sister on the remix

Just to reinforce my love for all things Kid Sister here is a Sinden remix of "Tenderoni" by Chromeo that features a verse from the Chi-town mistress of ceremonies herself, Kid Sister!!

Hopefully this will serve to feed your own growing fascination with her as well.

Enjoy!

Download "Tenderoni" ft Kid Sister

Peaches & Tone Loc "Wild Thing" remix '07

Tone Loc & Peaches on the remix of "Wild Thing"?!?!?!

That's just crazy right?

Delicious vinyl is releasing a remix album in '08 and here is the first leak for all the kids to get down to.

Download "Wild Thing"

and pick up the album from Delicious Vinyl when that shit drops!

New Balance 574 "Transportation Pack" Drops Nov. 17th

Here comes a New Balance release that I posted about a month or two ago here.

New Balance is about to release an exciting new set, the "Transportation Pack." It consists of three 574's and celebrates the different transportation channels used by the brand to ensure the arrival of their product on time.

The M574 "Sea" is dominated by brown colors on the upper and features nautical charts printed on the upper as well. The tongues tag shows an anchor and the on the back heel they embroidered a cargo ship.

The M574 "Air" comes in colors reminding us of UPS. Also they printed air charts on the sneaker, added an aviation logo tag on the tongue and of course embroidered an airplane on the back heel.

The M574 "Land" comes with a gray suede upper, which stands for the road. Road maps are printed on the shoe as well. Tongue tab logo shows interstate signs and heel tab features a cargo container truck.

Each sneaker is limited to 574 pairs worldwide and each sneaker is individually numbered on the tongue. The New Balance 574 Tranportation Pack is supposed to launch November 17th. I'm gonna seriously keep my eyes open for this one!

New Balance Hybrid 574

In Japan New Balance is getting ready to release some interesting new sneakers. Mita will be releasing these New Balance 574 hybrids in the beginning of December. The mid sneakers come in two multicolor versions. These are some crazy colors and the shoe reminds me of a boot more than a sneaker but it is still pretty hot lookin'.

more pics via Highsnobiety.

New Balance "Canvas Pack" 576

New Balance returns to a much more "classic" style with this Purple 576. For Spring 2008 they present the Canvas Pack. Here is the purple 576 that is part of the pack. A nice mix of canvas and suede accents make this a solid sneaker. Other colors will follow.

Pic via Sneaker Freaker.

Witchdoctor "The Diary Of An American Witchdoctor"

This is quite simply one of my favorite tracks of the fall. Witchdoctor is back with a vengeance!! Now we just need a Dungeon Fam reunion album!!
"The Barrel," featuring The Wheeler Brothers, is on Witchdoctor's recently released LP "The Diary Of An American Witchdoctor."
This is another in the recent line of tracks that owe a little somethin' to Trance music. Like B.O.B.'s "Haterz" and everything that Timbaland is doin' lately, "The Barrel" relies heavily on electronic and most specifically trance production techniques and sounds.
A while back I posted up a track with Witchdoctor and the Cunninlynguists called "Yellow Lines" that took me straight back to the early days of the Dungeon Family. This track proves that it isn't just about nostalgia. Witchdoctor is as vital now as he ever was ten years ago. He just wrapped the "Adult Swim Tour" with Ghostface Killah, and he's getting national attention from publications like Rolling Stone, and now SOHH . Don't sleep on this cat!!

Download "The Barrel"

and you can pick up the album at Amazon.com and other retail spots

Jeezy "National Anthem" produced by Chops!?!!

I could not care any less than I already do about Jeezy. Mad typical and boring to me. However I am a loyal supporter of my man Chops. Formerly of the Mountain Brothers and one of the hottest producers in the underground for years, Chops is finally makin' major moves with mainstream artists. I'm not one of these cats who starts dissin' an artist who I used to like just because they're makin the move into more mainstream work. I'm still a fan and am happy that Chops is gettin' some shine and some green. So here is a brand new Jeezy track with Chops on production. Even Jeezy sounds better with Chops!!! haha

Download "National Anthem"

The JB Classics DC Shoes Collaboration

Pushing the envelope. Breaking barriers. Shaking up the system.
DC Shoes and JB Classics have done it in Spades! The first ever dual company shoe collaboration. A marketing approach that rivals the creativity of "The Blair Witch Project" a decade ago (check the video here). Hype for a shoe has not been this heavy in a long time. Now take into account that this is a project by two independent companies. Not Nike, not Adidas or Puma. You gotta respect the hustle and even more, you gotta respect the shoe!! Hella tight design and concept!!

more pics via highsnobiety

JB Classics x DJ Funkmaster Flex x Ford

I'm a fan of JB Classics. Not a fanatic necessarily (I reserve that for my New Balance obsession) but I appreciate the moves they make in an industry dominated by billion dollar multi-national corporations. Two sneakers drop in this 3 way collaboration. One with Funk Master Flex (the over hyped and under talented NYC DJ...and as I call him a DJ every real DJ on the planet cringes), and the other with one of those multi-national corporations i was just referring to, Ford.



I prefer the Ford colorway from an overall design perspective (the classic Ford Blue is really sweet), but there is somethin' about the FMF colors that really draws the eye. The lime green and blue just really work well together in this shoe, especially with the red laces and speckled mid-sole. Crazy colors on both and I always like the JB "fruity pebbles" sole.

Like all the special projects from JB Classics, the FMF shoe is packaged with two sets of laces, is individually numbered, and comes with a Certificate of Ownership and cinch bag. Limited to 240 pairs worldwide! Looks like the Ford version will not be available for sale at all...what's up with that?!?

more pics via Highsnobiety

New Balance 574 hybrid

New Balance collaborates with Japanese store Another Edition and the outcome is certainly interesting. Based on the New Balance 574 the sneaker has been remixed into a boot. A sock continues out of the sneaker. The lining of the sneaker is the same that you also find on the box.

This is a pretty crazy lookin' shoe (boot I guess). Not exactly my favorite but it's always nice to see New Balance droppin' something interesting for the ladies.

Mods And Rockers Monday Night

Monday Night Nov. 12 @ The Orpheum is another installment of the monthly event known as "Mods And Rockers." All the garage rock, proto punk and good time 60's & 70's glam you can shake a stick at. DJs Shack, Heath Dupras, Gregg Schmidt, N8, & 2% bring the tunes, you bring the 'tude!!

Hugsmugglers T-Shirt Drops

Hugsmugglers is the streetwear line designed by Tampa artist Brandon Dunlap. Dunlap is one of the creative minds behind the "Dirty But Sophisticated" art/music/fashion events that have been goin' down in Tampa for the last few years. You can't go out in Tampa without seeing somebody rockin' his work. Go check it out and pick somethin' up.

Rootstock 4 Nov 16

ROOTSTOCK 4

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Bangers & Cash "I Want Pussy" Video

J-Live "Reveal The Secret" is the hot shit!!

So I posted a little somethin' about J-Live's new EP "Reveal The Secret" a while back. The thing has really been growin on me like the proverbial fungus people. I mean like Stephen King in "Creepshow" growin on me. J-Live lit this EP up!!! So in honor of spreading the fungus here is another track off the new EP.

Download "Red Light Green Light"

Friday Nov 9th Cosmo Baker, DJ Ayers, DJ Eleven at Czar

Cosmo Baker, DJ Ayers, & DJ Eleven (aka THE RUB) are on tour and comin' to Tampa people! Be there next friday!

PUSH NOV 9TH In Tampa

Dope Hip Hop at the Orpheum friday night!

Talib Kweli Interviews Madlib on BET

Insert snide comment about BET here...

Hifana live MPC and DJ Routine @ 2007 China DMC Finals

WOW!

Amerie "Take Control" Dave Ghetto Remix

I have a radio show called Hip Hop Flavors on WMNF 88.5 in Tampa, Florida. Been doin' it for goin on five years and I love it! I especially love our listeners. Even when I think that we're alone in a studio on Martin Luther King with no one paying attention to us in the middle of the night folks are actually listening! (cool!!)

The show streams online 24/7 right here. So go and listen now!!

The point here is that I got a myspace message from a listener in California asking about a specific song from December (!) by Amerie featuring Dave Ghetto. The track is called "Take Control" and as far as I know it was an unofficial remix that Dave Ghetto dropped a verse onto. The track is mad funky with horn stabs and a guitar lick that just repeats until you start snappin' yer neck like a chiropractor!!

So this one goes out to Eko! Thanks for listenin'. Tell some folks about the radio show, and hey, maybe even send 'em over to kicks-n-jams...

I love to serve our listeners!

Download "Take Control"

Evan Dorkin's "Bif Bam Pow" released Nov 1st

Evan Dorkin is one of my favorite comic book artists. He is the brains and talent behind "Pirate Corp$ / Hectic Planet," (where I fell in love with his work) "Milk & Cheese," Marvel's "Bill & Ted's Excellent Comic Book," and many more. His most well known work is also the work that he gets the least credit for. He,(along with his wife Sarah) has worked on "Space Ghost Coast To Coast," and the "Superman" animated series. He has also done the occasional album cover for various (mostly ska) bands.

Why tell you about this?? Well he has a new comic coming out and you need it!!
"BIF-BAM-POW!" #1 hits comic shop shelves Nov. 1st. It is coming out on Slave Labor Graphics (and lemme tell ya, they've been releasing some great comic books for a looong time. Go see for yourself!)

He also maintains a blog called "Big Mouth Types Again" that amuses and entertains me.

Statik Selektah "Spell My Name Right" drops Nov 6th

Boston DJ/Producer Statik Selektah is dropping his new album "Spell My Name Right" Tuesday Nov. 6th on Brick Records. The album features a bonified who’s who in Hip Hop from underground celebs like Termanology and Esoteric to legends like Kool G Rap, KRS-One, AG and Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest to the hottest of today’s rising stars like Mims, Uncle Murder & Joell Ortiz. “Spell My Name Right (The Album) has something for everyone...street anthems "G Shit (Showoff Mix)", underground bangers "Did What We Had To Do", straight battle raps "Time To Say Goodbye" and even a the long forgotten DJ song "No Mistakes Allowed". East to left coast ALL the big dogs show up for this one. All production by Statik Selektah.


Here is a posse cut featuring Joell Ortiz, Kool G Rap, & Sheek Louch

Download "6 In The Morning"

Photek "Love War" LA RIOTS remix

Photek is one of my favorite drum and bass producers. Since the decline of that genre into repetitive trite fuckery he has taken to 4x4 house rhythms and other projects. I am still, however, a loyal fan and find myself enjoying his production regardless of genre distinctions. This is a remix by "it" producers and blog darlings LA RIOTS.

Download "Love War"
Download "Ni Ten Ichi Ryu"

Nike Summer '08 Dunk SB “720 Degrees”

Previously revealed in the Nike SB Summer 2008 catalog, now we got more information about its story behind. It is inspired by the first skateboarding arcade game, 720 Degrees, manufactured by Atari Games in 1986.

720 Degrees, or 720°, is a 1986 arcade game by Atari Games. 720°, a skateboarding game, is notable in that it is the first extreme sports video game, and has a unique timed structure that requires the player score points in order to keep the game going. The game’s name comes from the “ultimate” trick, turning a full 720° (two complete circles) in the air after jumping off a ramp. 720° has the player controlling a skateboarder ripping around a middle-class neighborhood. By doing jumps and tricks, the player can eventually acquire enough points to compete at a skate park.

pics & info via kix-files

Californication season finale shits in my mouth!!

Let me be perfectly clear here. The season finale to the Showtime Series "Californication" was the second biggest piece of shit on television this year! (I mean c'mon, nothin' can really touch "Viva Laughlin.")

I wanna be even more clear. I loved this show! I told friends about it. I was entertained each week by Hank's sexual exploits that served to mask his deep sorrow. Each of his hedonistic escapades only served to weave him into a tighter web of deceit and self loathing. The duality of a character who both yearns for and draws back in revulsion from middle class values and ideals was priceless. A man too intelligent to ignore his own pain and ineptitude but too ignorant to avoid it. I bit the bullet and was this close to feeling like I could call David Duchovny talented and watchable. Two traits he had nimbly stutter stepped and straight armed like a Heisman trophy winner to avoid in his career up to this point. Well I guess I shouldn't have rushed to judgment, because the final episode and most particularly the final scene of the show flushed it all down the toilet. Any realistic (and intriguingly funny) assessment of the human condition as one goes through grief and despair was kicked right in the nuts by the infantile, teenage boy fantasy that served as the show's culmination. All is right with the world?!!? Everything's all better because Hank acted mature for 15 seconds?!?! Gimme a fuckin break! What narcissistic, puerile daydream did I stumble into? How could a show with so much going for it have taken such a turn???

Jay-Z "Success" ft Nas from American Gangster Soundtrack

Hova and Nas on the track!! "Let this bitch breathe!!!!"

Download "Success"

ALIFE x Asics Gel Lyte III Available Online

Now here are a couple of really hot sneakers that will basically be hyped into the stratosphere. Despite the hype I really dig the look of both. I'm more partial to the green monster personally...

At 12:01 am Saturday, October 27th, non-NYC residents will have an opportunity to purchase the ALIFE x Asics Gel Lyte III. Both the Green Monster and Black Lagoon Gel Lyte III along with matching tees will be available for purchase on alifenyc.com. The price will be $200.00 and only a limited amount will be available.

Just as a note: NOT AVAILABLE TO NEW YORK STATE RESIDENTS - If you live in New York, you must go to ALIFE NYC to purchase.

Jay-Z ft Lil Wayne "Hello Brooklyn"

Off of the "American Gangster" album that Jay-Z is makin', here comes the latest track. Anything is better than that wack ass Blue magic song!!

Download "Hello Brooklyn"

And since we're droppin Lil Wayne tracks, here is Freeway ft Lil Wayne.

Download "Step Back"

Dub Step?!? What It Is & Where It's From...

Dub Step is a genre that has been very difficult for me to get into. I had just not heard too much in it that made me wanna do anything other than yawn. But hey, the same can be said for a lotta hip hop these days too! ;-)

That being said, I just heard some stuff from a producer named Burial that sounds really interesting. Plus I ran across a video overview of the genre, and it's origins, and artists (Benga, Youngsta, & Kode 9) at XLR8R that introduced me to it in a way that I could relate to.

Some of this stuff really takes me back to the halcyon days of Hardcore / Drum & Bass / Jungle... only on downers. And hey, there's even a Florida contingent of this largely UK dominated genre. floridadubstep.com

Saul Williams New Album self-released online available Nov 1st

Saul Williams is taking the music industry into his own hands.
Following in the footsteps of Radiohead and others, Saul Williams is self-releasing his latest album "The inevitable rise and liberation of niggytardust!" online.
You can go over to his site and pick it up for a measly $5.

Guess who produced the album?
Yep, the man behind Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor!!!
Crazy right?!?!

Little Brother "The GetBack" Drops Oct 23rd

Little Brother dropped "The Getback" on Tuesday. Big Pooh and Phonte still seem unable to actually break up with 9th Wonder. He produced a few tracks for the album. Same thing happened on 9th's album too. Fortunately Hi-Tek, and Denaun Porter both produce tracks and probably the most hard hitting song "Good Clothes" was produced by Beat Fanatic producer Illmind.

Phonte leaked the album on Okayplayer.com. I'm sure the label loooved that...

Little Brother will be out on tour with Evidence of Dilated Peoples for the next couple months. They'll be in Orlando Nov 27th.

Download "Good Clothes"

Nike Luxurious Dunk Package

Nike has created a set of 100 strictly limited luxury Dunks - exclusively for selected Music lovers. This product will not be for sale.

The luxurious Dunks are made of patent leather with details that play with the colors Black, Red and Gold. Special features of the model are the use of 3M ScotchliteTM and a checkered midsole. Another special element of the shoe is the Zoom cushioning that is normally used in Nike SB Dunks.

This special Dunk comes together with a “Be True” Shirt, a suitcase trolley and a special Dunk Hoody and will be given only to one hundred carefully selected guests on the occasion of the MTV Music Awards in Munich. The personal hand over will take place at Nike’s Dunk Studio – a temporary studio space located in Munich’s Glockenbach neighbourhood.

The studio showcases the universe of this sneaker Icon from its first days to contemporary executions such as selected styles of the Nike Sport Culture Spring 08 Collection.

info & more pics via highsnobiety

Company Flow re-unites at CMJ

The worst kept secret in New York last week was that at Def Jux’s CMJ Showcase, Company Flow would reunite on stage. And that’s exactly what happened when EL-P was joined by Bigg Jus after his solo set to run through some Co Flo songs. DJ Mr Len was nowhere to be seen but El-P’s current DJ, Mr Dibbs helped the duo with “The Fire In Which You Burn,” “Population Control” “Vital Nerve” and “8 Steps To Perfection.” There are rumored plans that the group will be re-uniting next year.

El-P also had another surprise guest on the night, when he was joined by Del The Funkee Homosapien.

info link at nialler9

AZ drops new single "Life On The Line"

AZ is back at it again. The guy has dropped a couple really tight hip hop albums on Koch records over the last couple years (A*W*O*L*, & The Format) and he shows no signs of slowin' down.
Check out his new single "Life On The Line" ft Jimi Kendrix (Produced by Street Radio).

Download "Life On The Line"

Nike Air Force 1 Running Pack Hybird

A nice pack of AF1 sneakers is on the way. Here is another set of hybrid Air Force 1 x Air Max & ACG series.

Safari Air Force 1 is no longer only a pair of SBTG custom as it also included in the Running Pack that would release next year. Besides, 2 more Air Forces also inspired by ACG series, Mowabb and Air Wildwood. Air Force 1 x Air Max 97 is also available to have a full length Air Max sole.

I really like the cement design and the elephant design on the first two and the red sole on the third sneaker is pretty cool too. I'm also feelin the material and color combos on the second shoe. That blue is pretty sweet.

Nike buys Umbro for over half a billion!!

In a move that will probably interest my man Mudd, my boss Tony and DJ Rig, among others, it appears that Nike is buying UMBRO for $580 million.
I got the info over at Kix-files go over there for the full article. I can't think of a single kid who played soccer that didn't have or want a pair of Umbro shorts. The coolest pro teams all wore 'em. Nike is just takin' over everything I guess.

New Balance x AVENJ Sean D ‘Anconia M574

Finally we see a release for this awesome sneaker!! . After Josh Wisdumb and Eric Haze, New Balance continues their artist collaboration series, and gets together this time with
Sean D ‘Anconia of Her Majesty’s Secret Studios. The shoe pays homage to 70’s grindhouse cinema using a collage of the icons of the era: streets of Harlem to the skyscrapers of Hong Kong, from Yakuza to KungFu. The details on the sneaker are just incredible. My favorite is the felt on the afro. You can't get a much cooler shoe design than this!

It has been released at Atmos Tokyo.

Wu-Tang Clan Leak "Take It Back"

Looks like the Wu-Tang Clan miscommunication with Ghostface has been figured out. The Clan's latest album will be released on 12/11 one week after Ghost's newest effort. And all is well with the Clan...


Download "Take it Back"

Electronic Blog "Boards of Electronica"

I ran across a pretty cool blog last night.

Boards Of Electronica

The blog is either French or French Canadian but either way it's chock full of older electronic and techno music. Real cool stuff too. Like Aphex Twin 12"s that he dropped under a myriad of psuedonyms. Some cool Richie Hawtin (aka Plastikman) stuff. The KLF ambient album. Luke Vibert, Speedy J, Venetian Snares, Spacetime Continuum... the list goes on. He obviously has the original pressings on many of these as he includes pics of the 12"s with all the production and label info. The record collector geek in me loves that kinda thing! Go over & check it out. Definitely worth a bit of your time if you're a fan of the older techno stuff. My only complaint is tht he uses rapidshare and I don't wanna join up to download tracks. I use zshare and have never been unhappy with it.

K-N-J Spotlight # 2: The Opus

Since I'm blogging about Chicago today I suppose I 'd better mention another group outta Chi-town that deserves attention. The Opus.

Mr. Echoes (f.k.a. Fanum) and The Isle of Weight, both outstanding producers in their own right have been collaborating together as The Opus since the early 90's.


The first national attention they received was as part of the seminal Chicago group Rubberoom. In '94 Rubberoom (made up of The Opus on production and Meta Mo, Lumba, and SPO on the mic) released "Gothic Architecture." In 1999 they released the apocalyptic "Architechnology." The album, and it's production was a heaving mass of dystopian revelations. While EL-P and his production on Def Jux has defined and explored turn of the century, distorted, off-kilter, paranoia, "Architechnology" had few similar contemporaries or precursors. The sounds were certainly without precedent. Unfortunately for Rubberoom, like so many groups, label problems stalled the momentum and eventually dissolved the collaboration.


The Opus, however, carried on after the breakup. Even during Rubberoom's run The Opus produced tracks for other artists, most notably delivering a stellar underground release with Thawfor "Where Thawght Is Worshipped" in '98. 2002's "First Contact" was their first full length, post-Rubberoom release on, now defunct, Ozone Music (home of Mike Ladd, Sonic Sum and others). This album featured guest emcees Aesop Rock, I Self Devine, Slug, MURS and others. In 2003 they released the criminally slept on, instrumental album, "Breathing Lessons" on Mush Records. The album continued to define their sound with bone dry drums and claustrophobic samples.

The Opus also continued to perform live. Delivering layered and mesmerizing performances all over the country, they transformed their studio production into a live affair that is well worth seeing. I saw them in Austin Texas at South By South West and was absolutely blown away!

In 2007 The Opus self released "Blending Density" a dark and abstract sound scape featuring some rare and unreleased previous work alongside the duo's latest productions. The album is available in CD or MP3 format through the group's website theopusonline.com

Here are a few tracks from throughout The Opus' career.

Download "Sector Rush Rebuilt" Architechnology
Download "Luna Landing" Blending Density
Download "Mission Control" Breathing Lessons
Download "Films" ft Sonic Sum
Download "Pedigree" The Opus Remix of Brother Ali entered for the Skribble Jam Producer's Battle 2007

Kid Sister

OK, at this point if you don't know who Kid Sister is then you're beyond sleepin'! You may need medical attention. There may be right wing TV hosts calling for your life to be preserved despite the fact that you are legally brain dead. You are in a coma from which you will never emerge. Catholics may try to make you a saint. Trent Lott may hold a prayer vigil/press conference outside your bedroom. Fox News may run a special on your plight. All this is true...

But on the heels of the Fool's Gold Tour that hit NYC for CMJ this year I feel as if it is my duty to once again try a "Grey's Anatomy/ ER" miracle and shock you back to life. It's what McDreamy would want.

Kid Sister is from Chicago. Her brother is in the DJ crew Flosstradamus. She rules dance floors and generally is at the forefront of the emerging club rap scene spearheaded by Floss, Diplo, Plastic Little, Spank Rock, A-Trak, and Tampa's own Yo Majesty.

She has a track called "Pro-Nails" that is, interestingly enough, about how her fingernails are done very nicely. Think a clubby Lil' Mama. Kanye West is on the remix and that is the track I'm gonna post here for ya. Get ready to buy this album because 2008 is the year of the Kid Sister!!

Download "Pro-Nails" ft kanye west