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!