Lazy Snags his Holy Grails - The New Balance 574 Almond "For Love Or Money"

Hell Yeah!! I never thought I would have these kicks! I was surfing on ebay and saw these come up in my size at an unbelievable price. This was a limited Japan only release. Pink/Gold/Black colorway. Star eyelets, and gold widgets on the laces. Embroidered "For love Or Money" logo on the tongue, and three stars on the heel make the detailing superb on this 574. Plus the materials are top notch. Worth every penny. For all you sneaker heads out there, think back to a time when you came up on some joints that you never thought you'd ever have. Those fantasy, dream kicks that you'd resigned yourself to only ever talking about but never actually wearing . Then you can rejoice with me because these are some pick ups that I never thought I'd have and that I new I'd always dream about. Finding these is what collecting is all about for me. I am so happy right now!!!

New Balance AO9 "Limited Edition A22"

Saw these New Balance AO9 "Limited Edition A22" over at Mita. I was initially not a big fan of the "graf" style painted "N" logo when NB first rolled them out but it is growing on me a little bit. This detailing really sets the shoe off with the mountain design on the back heel and the splatter effects on the rest of the shoe. This pack comes in three different color ways, Black/White, Tan/Orange, & Brown/Black & Green. The graf lettering on the tongue and the gold lace lacks are a nice touch. The one piece construction might take some time for me to get used to and I am a little wary of the burlap/canvas material (is it hemp???) but I'm more intrigued than anything by these joints.

Mita Sneakers x Realmad Hectic x New Balance MT580 Pack

Japanese sneaker store Mita got together with Realmad Hectic and New Balance to work on my favorite NB sneaker the MT580. It's a two pack and it will be released on the 19th of April. I like the shoes but not sure what to think of the white toe box on the brown shoe. Kinda shocking. I'd love to get a look in person to see what the deal is. Who knows when it'll get to the states...

Flosstradamus Returns to Tampa This Friday!!!

Valley Girl Turns 25 That 80s Night @ The Orpheum

this month That 80s Night @ The Orpheum is a tribute to John Hughes and his excellent movies! come as your favorite Hughes movie character!!!

Like, remember how awesome the songs on the "Valley Girl" soundtrack were: "Who Can It Be Now?""Love My Way" and "I Melt With You"? The movie turned 25 years old on Tuesday, which is, like, totally trippendicular. This got us thinking about the '80s rock that still rules.

Here's the 411 on what stokes us: '80s lyrics, compilations, power ballads and one-hit wonders.

Quiz time. How well do you know the one-hit wonders behind these '80s unrequited love lyrics? Name the song and artist:

"Jenny, Jenny
You're the girl for me
You don't know me but you make me so happy."
(Answer.)

"You know I feel so dirty when they start talkin' cute
I wanna tell her that I love her but the point is probably moot."
(Answer.)

"You've been around all night and that's a little long
You think you've got the right but I think you've got it wrong."
(Answer.)

New Balance 1300

Seriously, I am moving to Japan and laying down a sleeping bag at Shoe Planet because I am never leaving that spot!!!
These New Balance 1300s come in three different colorways. Yellow/Green, Purple/Pink, & Teal/Orange. Nice design on the heel box and mid-sole. Suede and mesh materials. These kicks just look light and comfortable to me. I'd rock 'em in a second!

Kids New Balance 410 "Toy"

Shoe Planet has some more New Balance Japanese designs that I have never seen or heard of before!!!
This kids NB 410 is called the "Toy."
An almost candy like veneer on these 410s draws the eye. At any moment I expect 'em to turn into a Transformer or something! Velcro, no laces, and a dope "N" pattern sole set this shoe off. More a sock than a shoe with a hard toe and heel box. I'd wear it if I were a kid.

New Balance M574 "Basket Weaver" Pack

A New Balance M574 pack that I'll call the "Basket Weaver" pack is out in Japan. It consists of two 574's, a teal/black/white and a grey/black/white colorway. The design is a little too "crafty" for my tastes but an ok idea and execution. Why does the japanese market get these hot wild designs and the American market stays locked into the same ole same ole??? Baby steps I guess...Gotta crawl before they walk, or run or whatever.

The pack is now available at Shoe Planet.

New Balance Easter Display at Lazy's house

In the words of The Grouch, "You ain't artsier than me!"

New Alife Spring '08 T-Shirts

Alife NYC has released a large batch of new Spring 2008 t-shirts. This drop includes some classics in new colorways, one long-sleeve and also several Krink collaboration t-shirts. Alife makes good stuff!!

Puma Unlimited Hi & Lo "Limited Edition"

Despite the oxymoronic title of this post, I am feelin' this Puma Sneaker. The Puma Unlimited Hi & Lo's were first introduced in 1991. Mita Sneakers has two limited edition packs. They gave them an upscale make-over adding fat laces with vibrant colors as well as croc skin. Both sneakers come in three colorways and will be available as of April 21st.

Nike Air Max 97 Lux "Rainbow"

I have to be honest, I like these sneakers but I don't know if I could ever rock them. I'm the most flamboyant color and design sneaker head out of all my friends. But even I have to take a step back on these rainbow joints. They look cool though...
the AM 97 Lux "Rainbow." The base color of the sneaker is white with a multicolor pattern going over the sneaker. I really dig the disco influenced insert! It is now available at Bingo Runner.

Nike Air Max Light "Mexican Blanket"

Hey look!! Nike takes cues from a New Balance material! Here is an Air Max Light colorway, that has arrived at Size?. The Japanese give it a fresh face in this limited colourway with a touch of stingray material, patent and perforated leather and Mexican bandana style trim on the ankle piece. Even though a pretty wild mix of colors and materials, the sneaker keeps an overall clean look, mainly due to the white base color.
Via Hypebeast/Sneakerfiles.

New Balance CM576 MC Special Edition

Check out this special New Balance 576 version! this was never put on sale (thus assuring it's status and legend). Since the brand is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the shoe this year, they gave it out as a present to their best retailers. It mixes different New Balance sneakers out of the 20th anniversary collection into one, featuring a multitude of materials and colors. I love these vibrant colors and am totally ready for anbody to send me a pair.

Shoe Planet has only two of these in stock now and is auctioning them off!

Vans x Supreme x Bad Brains Sk8 Hi

I'm not a fan of these Vans at all but I am a huge bad brains fan so here ya go...

New Balance x Stussy x Undefeated x Hectic - Triple Threat MT580 "Synthetic"

The Triple Threat project of Undefeated, Stussy, Hectic in collaboration with New Balance continues this season and once again they worked on the MT580. And can't we all be thankful that new balance has finally answered our prayers and has begun to release 580s in the U.S.A.! The "Synthetic" pack consists of three colorways of the New Balance MT580. These are a seeming return to earlier colors and I for one am excited. The vibrant colors and materials are a welcome change from the more subdued sneakers that New balance released throughout the fall and winter. The pack will be released on the 26th of April in Japan.
info via Nextedge.

New Balance M1400 "Chicken Run" Pack

New Balance released a new pack of M1400 Made In USA sneakers - the Chicken Run Pack. It consists of three colorways of the M1400 and only premium materials have been used. The sneakers have an embossed running man graphic on the upper. This is a nice lookin shoe!

New Balance A10 "Olde English"

New Balance drops these A10’s for the Japan market. A 574 silhouette, this A10 has a canvas upper and features a new Olde English twist of the famed “N” logo. I like it! Look for these to drop in 3 colors (black/yellow not pictured) at various NB retailers in limited quantities.

Info.Image: Sneaker News

New Balance 576 limited edition 20th Anniversary

New Balance celebrates the 20th anniversary of their iconic 576 model this year. I like this design alot. Don't know if it's for everybody but hey, what can I tell ya?! I'm odd like that.

They developed a futuristic version of the classic - the M576E. It comes in several colorways and is now available at Mita.

New Balance Spy Vs Spy Drops

The much anticipated New Balance MT580 "Spy vs. Spy" pack has finally been released at Mita .
The pack consists of a white MT580 and black MT580 with a striped inner lining and the weapons of the spies in red embroidery.

THE GROUCH - SHOW YOU THE WORLD 4/8/08

THE GROUCH - SHOW YOU THE WORLD
(04.08.08, Legendary Music)

On his first solo record in five years, The Grouch offers his usual well thought out, yet straight forward rhymes. But his production is more varied, sophisticated and polished than ever before.

“I worked on this record for almost three years,” notes The Grouch of how he’s developed as an artist. More, this record was an idea that sprang to mind after the birth of my daughter, Rio, in 2006. As soon as she arrived all I could do is think about wanting to show her everything that I love. I was quickly humbled when I realized I was learning as much from her as she was from me.”

www.legendarymusic.net

Track Listing:
01. Microphone Intro
02. Watch Watch (featuring Mike Marshall)
03. Clones
04. Artsy
05. Favorite Folks
06. Yardwork
07. God Bless The Elephant (featuring Abstract Rude)
08. Show You The World (featuring Raphael Saadiq)
09. The Bay To LA ( Featuring MURS)
10. Mom & Pop Killer
11. Never Die
12. Shero
13. Bring It Back
14. Hot Air Balloons (featuring Bicasso and Scarub)
15. The Time (featuring Marty J)
16. Breath

Aceyalone in Tampa Monday March 24th

Monday March 24th
Aceyalone hits The Orpheum
In Tampa, Florida

Kid Sister On The Count & Sinden's "Beeper" video

Yep, I love Kid Sister!!

Red Tide Performing Live @ Esca in Sarasota Feb 29

DJ Kief, alongside Kensi, is hosting Friday nights at Esca in Sarasota.
They will be spinning hip-hop, breaks and electronic music from 9pm - 2am.
On February 29, 2008, Red Tide will be headlining the night.

Get Yer Dance On

Saturday Night

Feb 18 Monday Night

Thursday Feb. 21

Friday March 21 @ The Orpheum!!!!

New Balance "Chinese Opera Mask" Pack

I MUST HAVE THIS SHOE!!!
Developed by New Balance Japan, check out "The Mask" pack.
It consists of 3 New Balance 576's, each coming in strong colors, inspired by traditional Chinese Opera masks. Embossed graphics, premium suede, patent leather, reflective 3M material, mask embroideries and many more details.
A little info about Chinese Opera. The main color in a facial makeup symbolizes the disposition of the character. The facial makeups date a long time back to the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties at least. Simple patterns of painted faces are found in tomb murals of that age. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), improvements were made in the skills of drawing and in preparing the paints, leading to the whole set of colorful facial patterns that we see in today's Jingju (Beijing Opera). The art of Bian Lian (literally translated as "face changing") is a part of Szechuan Opera dating back to the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. Bian Lian involves very fast mask changes to signify different emotions.
Now that you're super educated about chinese masks you, like me, may ask why they didn't include a color or a mask changing capability into the shoe pack. Wouldn't that have been cool!?! It would have maintained the theme and added an element that no other shoe company has really developed yet. Colors that change due to temperature, or masks that change when they move would have really set this shoe off. This is what NB should be doing with the Ndividual pack, by the way...

A New NB Blog I AM NOT ALONE!!!

Hooray!
:-)

here's what the nbkicks blog is all about:

nbkicks.com is dedicated to all things related to New Balance, from the fashion foward classics collection to the cutting edge NBX line. NBKicks and its network of sources will work to keep you up to date with new model releases, reviews, and buying guides.

Go check out NBKICKS
Do this immediately!

Crate Bros. "Sensual Seduction" Party

The Crate Brothers deliver another star studded event.
This time for Valentine's Day.
DJs Ladybird, Becca & Jamie.
doors open 10pm
Free before 11pm

Moe Pope & Headnodic are "Megaphone"

The ladies from NatAural High Records have done it again! Ever since I met Debby & Kandy at SXSW a few years ago I knew that these girls had something special. They've released nothing but heat from their label, (Jern Eye, Spear of the Nation, Omni, Spank Pop, Lunar Heights, Bavu Blakes) inked a deal with Koch for distribution (women with business sense in the hip hop game are mad sexy!!) and now they deliver another solid album for '08.

Moe Pope & Headnodic Are Megaphone is tight from start to finish! Headnodic's beats compliment Moe Pope's flow on each track. And while they do have some very talented guest appearances from the likes of Oh No, Zion I, and Gift of Gab, as well as Moe Pope's crew, Project Move, this duo stands on their own. Like Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Eric B & Rakim, Moe Pope & Headnodic are bringin' back the producer / emcee duo in a big way. Plus I can't forget the sweet cuts from The Oakland Fader's DJ Platurn.

Download "Drop"
Download "Danger Danger" ft oh no & gift of gab

In4mation Spring '08 T-Shirts

In4mation has started releasing their Spring 2008 collection. For now they only released t-shirts, but judging from their large cut & sew offering last season, you can for sure also expect more to come this season. My man DJ Nak-1 has already been rockin some of this gear but that's just how he rolls, always a head of the curve. I'd love to get a hold of the shark jaw tee...

Get yer Kid Sister "pro Nails" T-shirt

If you’ve been paying attention to kicks-n-jams, or the music scene at all, you’ll know Kid Sister is a rising star, having just signed to Downtown Records. Her second single, “Pro Nails” feat. Kanye West dropped recently so Fool’s Gold decided to put a tee out with artwork by Dust La Rock from the 12″ sleeve. You can purchase guys and girls tees here. Get ‘em while you still can!

Amp Live of Zion I does Radiohead remixes

After a cease & desist order put the breaks on Amplive's Radiohead "In Rainbows" remix project, the online music community reasonably wondered if the tracks would ever see the light of day. Well, here they are.

While the Oakland producer/DJ acknowledges that he probably should have contacted Radiohead (who were not involved in the project) to seek approval prior to making his interpretations publically available, an agreement has been reached between all involved parties and Amplive has been granted permission to release Rainydayz Remixes for free to the general public. Effective immediately, the eight-track record is available here.

Rainydayz Remixes is composed exclusively of source material pulled from In Rainbows, re-envisioned by Amplive and complimented by vocal work from Too $hort, MC Zumbi of Zion I, Chali2na of Jurassic 5, Codany Holiday, and Del The Funky Homosapien.

Barak Obama For President!!

Chris Holmes, made a remix of Barack Obama's South Carolina victory speech. And because kicks-n-jams is endorsing Obama for President I wanna share a couple videos with you.



and here is the Will I Am "Yes We Can" video

New Balance M574 NDK Ndividual

The next drop of New Balance Ndividual sneakers have landed at Overkill. The Ndividual Series enable you to change details like the laces and logos in different colours: black and neon yellow. The logos are attached by a velcro and come in neon yellow, neon camo and grey camo. Black, high quality leather upper with silver logo stitch. I like the idea of these sneakers far better than the execution. They should shy away from the "high quality" leather (suede would be better) and focus on other aspects. Maybe a different colored sole or a mid sole with more flavor. Add a lace lock or get more interesting with the eyelets. Right now the shoes come off like something your dad would pick up in a desperate attempt to remain "hip," whatever the hell THAT means! There is still potential for this series but they gotta get on it now before they completely lose public interest. It's funny that they drop this design called Ndividual and then turn around and can design truly original series like the "super team" family and the "hungry dragon" stuff. You can do better NB!!!

Sandpeople "Honest Racket"

So it's no secret that I am a West Coast music fan. Sandpeople is a crew from the West Coast (Portland in fact) that I know almost nothing about, but I saw the CD cover, and checked the song listing, and saw that my man The Grouch, of Living Legends, was on the album. So I had ta check it out. Turns out these Portland kids make a pretty nice album. "Honest Racket" is a well put together record with tightly woven beats and lyrics. Not dance music by any stretch but thinking man's hip hop that will get the neck snappin' if ya take the time to embrace it. I fully recommend the album. Go check 'em out and pick "Honest Racket" up.

Download "Real Estate"

Ta'Raach and Blu are C.R.A.C. Knuckles

C.R.A.C. Knuckles (Collect Respect Anna Check) consists of Blu and one of my favorite emcees, Detroit MC Ta’Raach (formerly known as Lacks). Check out these tracks from their album, "The Piece Talks," which is due out in April. I seriously cannot wait for this record to drop.

Download "Love Don't"
Download "Buy Me Lunch"