New Balance M574 Reptile Pack

New Balance presents an interesting new pack - the M574 Reptile Pack. It consists of three styles, each influenced by a different reptile - Snake, Lizard and Alligator. Overall the sneakers keep a subtle look and feature premium materials on the upper. These leave me a little cold (haha reptile...cold haha). A little derivative of the luggage pack and they coulda really gone out there with this kinda design. Like on the dragon release last year. Instead this pack is a high end but conservative shoe that I respect but would probably not pick up. It seems like these are an exclusive for the Japanese market. Via Conope.

New Balance A09 Hemp Pack is Tight

The A09 pack are new release sneakers made entirely of seamless hemp. Currently available in Japan, there is no guarantee we will see them in the Western market soon. More as the story develops. Saw these on the Conope site (can't read it at all but nice pics over there).
I have not been very interested in the NB A0 releases so far and the graff style N really turned me off but I am finally seeing NB do some interesting design with the style and this is the first of the line that I would definitely rock.

Provider x New Balance 1500

SNKR FRKR drops a nice surprise on us with the scoop on this interesting collaboration.
Australian store Provider teamed up with New Balance to work on the 1500 model. The outcome is a nice black/charcoal/blue colorway, with the entire upper coming in premium suede. The sneaker will be released in March and will also come with matching wayfarer sunglasses.

Check the interview at snkr frkr dot kom

Via Sneaker Freaker.

Reebok x Kool Aid

Reebok brings the ruckus with a nice colorful collaboration with that summer sensation, Kool Aid! Matching colors, smiley faces. Is this the return of late 80's acid rave?!?! I don't know but I'm diggin what they are doin here. Check the website Reebok X Kool Aid for more pics.

New Balance MT580J International Limited Ediiton

This is a HOT SHOE!!!!!

An Internation Limited Edition sneaker by New Balance. The MT580J comes in three colorways. The model should seem familiar, mainly due to the various collaboration between Undefeated, Stussy and Hectic on this model. In this release it comes in a grey/neon yellow colorways as well as in black/purple and white/grey. The Black Purple is my favorite. The subtle, distressed shading and materials combine with what is my favorite NB style (the MT580 rules!) in a bangin' shoe right here.

Mita in Japan will release all three styles on the 9th of February. I just hope they make it over to the U.S. of A.

More pics here

New Balance Fall '08 Preview

High Snobiety released a Fall '08 New Balance preview. Some new stuff comin' from New Balance. Some I'm feelin' and others I'm not. But all in all NB is mixing materials and colors with an eye toward uniqueness. So I can't hate on that. Check it out for yourself.

Dirt E. Dutch & Breez Evahflowin Are "Troublemakers"

Since I'm on this emcee / producer duo kick I wanna let you know about a new project from Breez Evahflowin. This time around the Stronghold emcee teams up with producer Dirt E. Dutch for a collaboration on Little Ax called "Troublemakers."
The tracks that Dutch delivers on this record may be some of the best production that Breez has ever had the opportunity to spit over. Breez doesn't disappoint either. He's spent years carrying the Stronghold crew's rep from battle to battle but it looks like he's finally gonna get some recognition as a writer and not just a battler. Check out these tracks and go get the album fools!

Download "Killhumanati"

Touch & Nato Are The Representatives "Intelligent Design"

Touch & Nato hail from Alberta, Canada. What I know about Canada is they have pro wrestlers, and snow, and beer. Now I find out they've got some pretty dope hip hop talent as well. These two have released a project they call "The Representatives: Intelligent Design." The album features appearances by Wordsworth, Cadence Weapon and others and Nato delivers solid production from start to finish. So pay attention and get down with a producer, emcee duo that you maybe never heard of before.

Download "Somethin' Real" ft Wordsworth
Download "What I Really Wanna Say" ft Cadence Weapon

Snoop "Sensual Seduction" remix ft Lil Kim

Snoop makes his move into the new soul-funk that Gnarls Barkley, Plantlife, Dudley Perkins, and Pharrell have been pushing for the last little while. It suits him nicely too. I've got the "Sensual Seduction" remix off of his forthcoming album "Ego Trippin'" here for you featuring Lil Kim. Check the video (it is awesome!!)
The album is due in March of '08 look for it everywhere!!

Download "Sensual Seduction" the remix

The Nemesis Two "Don't Stop Rockin'"

The Nemesis Two is back again for another round of dope hip hop out of the Great White North. From the new EP "Uncontaminated" which hits stores on January 22nd and will be available digitally on iTunes.

Download "Don't Stop Rockin"

410 Pharoahs "Fresh"

From Baltimore comes 410 Pharoahs. They drop a mix of the bmore club sound that has been makin' noise all over the country lately. The difference here is the skills and pedigree of the members. Most specifically Labtekwon!?! Lab has been around for a loong time. He's been on the underground scene since the early days of Rawkus Records and the whole underground hip hop explosion in the mid 90's. Now he returns (I guess he never really left) with a new sound and a new approach that clings to old school party hip hop aesthetics while maintaining a lyrical complexity that no other act is doing in this style. Their new release is on Ill Friction / Strictly Rhythm and they even have a co-sign from party master Kenny Dope himself!

Download "Fresh"

Talib Kweli "hot thing" Remix

This is the "Hot Thing" (remix), from Talib Kweli. This new remix of last year's hit features a brand new beat, a dope guest appearance from Jean Grae, and the soulful Ne-Yo on the hook. Talib's album "Eardrum" was one of the highlights of last year's very strong year for thoughtful hip hop music. It was also another landmark for Koch Records as a label to be paying attention to in the new year.

Download "Hot Thing" (remix) - Blacksmith Records / koch

Hit up Kweli on myspace at www.myspace.com/talibkweli Eardrum in stores now!

JB Classics Spring '08 Prime Label

This season JB Classics introduces yet another sub label of their brand - the Prime Label. Their Premium label delivers sneakers with special applications in limited quantities. The Prime Label will have a wider distribution and is priced just right. All models will continue to have the overall attention to detail. Each line will have its own separate packaging identity,placement,price points and quantities. I am really interested in the silhouette pictured above as it reminds me of a New Balance sneaker. I'd love to see what the kids at JB Classics do with it. If this one is any indication then i have another must pick up sneaker in my collection.

Militant Military "In Da Bikke"

things that make you go "hmmmm"
This one may take the cake. Militant Military is a Tampa group.
Here is their press release:

Militant Military? is compromised of what some may call a group of “young soldiers, rebels and revolutionaries”. Although the name may sound controversial, the troop certainly is not. “Militant Military? is a state of mind equipped with an army of Soljah’s to fight a battle for God” according to Soljah, the leader of the troops. “At one point, we were not disciplined, but had to learn to overcome those obstacles and discipline ourselves”. He further states, “due to our growth as individuals, as team, as a unit of one, we’re able to share a purpose, a vision, and the determination to work towards a common goal.”

What was once an ordinary group of men and women led by the misconceptions of life has now emerged into an Army that’s a force to be reckoned with. Whenever these Soljah’s take the stage daunting their signature mask and hip-militant attire, you best believe that there will be Attention on Deck!! The group is always on the grind performing shows throughout Florida; leaving their branded imprint in large and small cities alike.

This new revolutionary state of mind hip hop group promises to take charge and become viable members of the world’s hip hop movement.

Where to begin? Revolutionary towards or about what!?! Is it revolutionary to wear masks (ghostface)? Is it revolutionary to wear camo? There's nothing wrong with the song. It's a good club track about drugs and partying and getting fucked up. But what is militant about that??? What battle is being fought for God? How many more non-specific assertions can you make in one press release?
"We're militant!" about what?
"We're focused!" on what?
"We're disciplined!" How and why exactly?
"We share a determination! about what?
"We're working towards a common goal!" and that goal is...a player to be named later?!?!?
I DON'T GET IT! What exactly is being said here? If this is what's being pawned off as revolutionary in hip hop (and if it's accepted as such) then 2008 is in a sad state of affairs already. And nobody better come at me with this "stop hatin'" bullshit either. I don't hate party music. I don't hate on any form of music just because. This stuff is just mad inconsistent. If you claim revolution then BE REVOLUTIONARY! If you claim thug then BE A THUG! If you make party music then DO THAT SHIT! Be what you say you are!!
On a more positive note, their follow up song is called "Dat Pussy Look Good." So of course I will expect Revs. Jackson and Sharpton down here preparing a march with them any day now. If any song can change the system and smash the state it must be "Dat Pussy Look Good" right...

Download "In Da Bikke" (pronounced bike...yeah I don't know either.)

Dude N Em "Watch My Feet" remix ft Twista

I have been pretty obsessed with this song by Dude N Em called "Watch My Feet" since the Fall and realized I never posted it up here at Kicks-n-Jams. It is one more recent song that has made me RE Respect Twista. Man that dude can rap!! hahaha. Dude N Em is from Chicago and they are a part of that Chi-Town Juke music thing that has been blowin' up all over the place this year. Keep your eye on 'em because they are signed to TVT and will no doubt have a follow up to this extra hot song.

Download "Watch My Feet" ft Twista

New Balance 20th Anniversary 576 More Pics

Just when you thought it was safe we hit you with some new pics for a very dope shoe that New Balance is releasing in honor of their 20th anniversary. I posted about these 576s previously and had resigned myself to trying to pick them up online or via ebay. They've already been released at Mita in Japan. But now I have it on very good authority that these kicks will be available right here is the States as well!!
The shoes feature a velvet purple tongue and interior. Very nice details on the flower insole and the stitched "20th" on the heel. The gold lacelock and white sole are nice touches as well. All in all this is a shoe I'm really looking forward to. Feel free to repost these pics folks. Tell 'em kicks-n-jams hooked you up!

Ice Cube "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It"

Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It


I was prepared to hate on this song and video. But Cube spits knowledge here and pulls no punches plus the images in the video are on point.

Gemini ft Lupe Fiasco "We On"

Lupe Fiasco is all over at the moment. His new album "The Cool" is one of my favorite releases this winter. His FNF affiliate Gemini brings the hot shit on this one too.

Some West Coast Heat from Zion I, Too Short, & Mistah Fab

West Coast!!!! If you don't know then Imma tell ya that your boy DJ Lazy is a fan of the West Coast from waaaay back. Here are a few recent representas from the other side making some music that hasn't broken through to the mainstream yet but is just bubblin' under the surface.

Some hot tracks from the Bay Area. Slaps!!

Download "Goin' Crazy" Mistah Fab ft. Fabo, & 2Doll
Download "Don't Lose Your Head" Zion I ft. Too Short
Download "Popos" Turf Talk ft. E-40

Blame One "Finally" EP

Ripped from the vinyl only release by Blame One himself. Extended liner notes with a personal account of the songs can be found on DirtyScience.net, the new Blame One and Exile blog.

Dope. Link

This download will be really dope to some, outdated and/or even wack to others.Fuck it, it is what it is. I recorded this from vinyl straight to mp3 for the first time. I originally only pressed 500 copies of this on vinyl. It was my first vinyl as a solo artist (my group mystery's extinction was featured on vinyl before this). I to this day only have one copy so its very limited. Two songs ended up on “chemically imballanced” but they were heard here first. I didnt add any restoration or effects to clean it up, I kept it exactly as is. Ive always wanted to tell a bit of history behind songs and since this is free… I figured… why not