Archive for the ‘When I Reminisce…’ Category

The Boot Camp Clique Chronicles…

Monday, August 15th, 2011

tim ad

Thanks to you interconnected networks aka the internets for helping me grab the ear of the folks at Timberland. The Boot Camp Clique videos have been seen by some of the higher ups at the brand and my fanboy love is getting its overdue respect.

I was pleasantly surprised to come home one night and see a massive box from the Timberland Company (via Epiphany Marketing) on my doorstep. Even if my box didn’t have my name on it I was still geeked the fux out of my mind to feel like I had been chosen.

10061
10061

The boots are the classic 10061 style. Some folks call these the ‘cheese’ boots. I put these shoes in my top 5 Hip-Hop sneakers of all-time. The boots are built for four(4) season wearability. I’ve seen kids playing basketball and handball in these shoes as well as their ubiquitous presence on countless construction sites.

The 10061s are one of the most enduring, iconic descriptions of the American work ethic next to Levis and a New York Yankees baseball cap. The smell of the nubuck suede is undeniable. The last of the stitches is unbreakable. The silicon rubber lug sole is unstoppable. The 10061 on your feet make you invincible.

10061
10061

The Timberland socks sent with the boots were a supreme touch from the Team Epiphany crew. The socks complete my Timberland 10061 footwear system.

The packaging and the boots were a dope surprise, especially to see that I’m on Timberland’s radar, but the real win was on the inside of these boots. Timberland’s patented Anti-Fatigue insoles are the best detail added to the new 10061. I can wear these boots now like I rock a pair of SB Dunks. All day long.

10061

Lifestyle In Londontown…

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

london lo

Here’s a mini-doc of lifestylers in London town. Based on the ‘Lo-Life movement started here in NYC these kids are trying to replicate the images of Polo clad street soldiers.

The film is interesting because these kids are totally image driven without understanding the actual backstory or the living history. They shout Thirstin’ Howl and Rack-Lo tho’ so they have some of the history in place.

Lo-Down In London from Broken Antenna on Vimeo.

I think these dudes are learning that love and loyalty is more than just the clothing you put on. It’s the armor you wear as soon as you leave your flat, or your project apartment. If you didn’t put on your armor you might not make it back home.

Without going thru the fire with your brothers you wouldn’t understand why these garments mean so much to certain people. Folks got hurt for wearing ‘Lo in a city that was desperately teetering between the haves and the have nots. That day might return again. Make sure you have your love and your loyalties in order.

Words For My Father…

Sunday, July 31st, 2011

mr.penn

When someone told me I had already dropped my Baltimore story it made me think about what it is I am trying to convey by telling my life experiences on this website. From founding the Decepticons to being a five and dime drug dealer these stories aren’t meant to regale the reader with the notion that I was a gangster.

In truth, these stories are meant to show how far I have come in my understanding of what brotherhood and manhood actually requires. I don’t want to be anyone’s hero either. I don’t deserve those accolades. I just want to pay back a debt I owe to the people who helped shape me, protect me, inform me and ultimately save me.

Without Megatron, the rabbi or my father this website wouldn’t even exist. My whole online profile would be nil. Looking outside of my window I can say that none of this shit is about me. It begins and ends with Mr. Penn who married my mom when I was five years old. He knew a lot about sacrificing himself to reach his goals.

mr.penn

Today, on Mr. Penn’s birthday I am going to re-pledge myself to telling my story properly. With the right focus and the right aim. I’m sure that someone will know someone who can benefit from the knowledge that all is not lost when they have heart and believe. The book is gonna be called ‘The Transformation’.

‘The Transformation’ will start in my teenage years when I separated myself from my giving tree. I’ll tell you all about my failures in Baltimore, Atlanta and Miami and how I took these losses and converted them into lessons. I learned to love my life for the rainy days because they allow me to fully appreciate the sunshine. And everybody loves the sunshine.

I won’t have to tell some of y’all to stay tuned since y’all have been on this page since it went live in August 2005. Back then my homey Paris told me to write the book. He was right and now I will be write. Even when I was young my swag was grown man and that’s because Megatron, the rabbi and my dad kept their eyes on me. If they could see me now they would be happy their efforts weren’t in vain.

Let’s go internets.

mr.penn

MEYHEM LAUREN: #DEFENDQUEENS

Sunday, July 31st, 2011

meyehem lauren

If you still don’t have the Meyhem Lauren double album ‘Self-Induced Illness‘ then I don’t really want to know you. Meyhem Lauren is singularly the reason I fux with Timeless Truth, Action Bronson, Thirstin’ Howl 3rd and Roc Marciano. I have a tremendous amount of respect for this young dude. He is an interconnected network in the OG sense.

Meyhem is the type cat to step to you on the street and salute you if you rocking some live shit properly. I met dude on Jamaica Avenue one day when I was taping a Sneaker Fiends Unite! NYC Tour. Dude gave me his math so we could do some Polo deals. He ain’t know I blog and I ain’t know he rapped. As fate would have it when I got back to the lab that night and opened up Unkut.com he was on the top of the page.

Crazy how people will connect on some shit only to learn they been connected for several years already without even knowing it. That’s the lesson that the internets constantly teaches me. The world is filled with billions of people, but those that connect and vibe on the same sine-cosine wavelength frequency is the smaller group, and they will find each other regardless.

If you fux with this page like you say you do then show some love and support to this dude doing shit like how it should be done. #REAL.

meyehem lauren


‘Another Hustle’ produced by J-Love


‘Day After Day’ featuring gab Gotcha, Action Bronson and Animal


‘What Kind Of Life’


‘Queens’

And this last track is the shit that represents Hip-Hop to me on every level possible. Meyhem Lauren has even asked me to submit a storyboard to him to shoot a video from. I will do that ASAP, but for now enjoy this man’s music and support his movement. #OUTDOORSMEN

Self-Induced Illness‘ on iTunes


‘Still Golden’ produced by Jewels Polaar

meyehem lauren

Help Ernie, Save Hip-Hop…

Sunday, July 31st, 2011

ernie p graff

Help our friend Ernie Paniccioli pay down on his cancer treatments by PayPal’g him a $5 spot or something.

Ernie Paniccioli is a living embodiment of what Hip-Hop can do for communities. Thru his art and his commitment to education Ernie has shown us time and time again where we come from and how great the journey has made us. Let’s help him get where he has to go with our love and support.

Chip In: Ernie Paniccioli

I see you JaiSlayer