I just got a chance to check out some pieces from the Nike Black History Month 2012 collection. I’m not quite sure how long Nike has been releasing product in celebration of BHM, but the first item I remember noticing is the Red/Black/Green Air Force One Low from 2006 that was never sold and only given to key influencers/tastemakers within the African American community. Since then I’ve been keeping an eye out, and every year Nike releases some great product that always tells a great story as well.
This year, Nike Sportswear and Nike Basketball are releasing limited-edition footwear and apparel that celebrates the achievements and pioneering spirit of three teams: the 1996 USA Basketball Women’s team, 2002 Brazil Men’s Soccer team and the 2008 Kenyan Long-Distance Running team. All three leave a legacy of greatness and continue to inspire and uplift their communities.
The 2012 Black History Month collection includes the Nike Zoom KD IV, Nike Kobe VII System and LeBron 9 from Nike Basketball, as well as the Nike Air Force 1, Nike Air Max 1, Nike Blazer and 2012 Nike Huarache Free from Nike Sportswear. In addition to the shoes, select apparel styles—including the Nike Destroyer Jacket, T-shirt and snapback hat —will all release on Nikestore.com this Saturday, February 11.
Check out some pics of the new collection. Spotted at TSS.
Salute to DJ Mick Boogie. This past week he shot me a line and asked me if I wanted to involved with this new project he was putting out. It’s a Rum Dmc tribute mixtape to honor the 25th anniversary of the Run Dmc song “My Adidas” as well as the “Raising Hell” album. DJ Jazzy Jeff re-did the beat and cuts for “Peter Piper” and that was the track I was selected to be on. As usual Jazzy Jeff KILLS the beat and the cuts. It’s a honor for me to record something over one of his productions. Hopefully this won’t be the last time we work together.
The mixtape is circulating around the net for free download. It was released on the same day as my new album 11/11/11. Also Adidas released a special Superstar 80 sneaker for JMJ. There’s only 1,986 pairs made to honor the year 1986. Hopefully all you sneaker heads got a pair.
Shouts to DJ Mars who has been working with the New Balance Brand recently on this “Where Are You Running To” campaign. In the first of these web series videos NB catches up with Don Cannon, DJ Mars, and DJ Rich Medina.
Mars Says: Take a behind the scenes look at the lives of me and some of my closest friends (all of whom happen to be great DJ’s). The first web series features Philly natives Rich Medina and Don Cannon. Viewers get an inside glimpse of what a day is like for globetrotting dj’s. Lace up your New Balance everyone, this is going to be a ride that you most certainly enjoy!
New Balance and DJ Mars have officially launched their “Where Are You Running To Next?” microsite.
Films will be added throughout the rest of the year from industry notable notables. The site also includes the artists’ bios, favorite New Balance kicks and images of their very own Custom US574 designs.
DJ Mars
Rich Medina
Don Cannon
Shouts to DJ Mars for putting these joints together. This is a GREAT look to getting the New Balance brand back in the game and where they need to be.
DJ Mars started as Outkast’s original DJ, and has toured with everyone from Ne-yo, Ciara, Usher, Monica and Kelis. To date, Mars is currently touring with famed recording artist Keri Hilson and has personally spun at every club and major Platinum Party in Atlanta ranging from artists like Jay-Z and Diddy to Jermaine Dupri and Beyonce.
I first heard about this via Twitter then spotted the news clip via The Shoe Game. A young man was murdered (stabbed to death) on a Hyattsville Maryland street, and robbed for his Nike Air “South Beach” Foamposites.
The DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) is known as Nike Boot and Foamposite territory (The two types of shoes are extremely popular in the area). It’s one thing to look fresh and feel good about your self while wearing expensive clothing. It’s another thing when your clothing is so exclusive that it makes people envious and conspire illegal things to take it from you. This is a real tragedy, a young life lost over something so trivial.
This reminds me of back in the late 80′s and early 90′s where kids in Chicago, New York, etc. were getting beat badly, shot, and stabbed for new air Jordans and Starter jackets.
A young life has been lost. Would be great to see the Nike brand take some sort of corporate community responsibility. Put out more “Supply” so careless acts of violence wont be in such “Demand.” … These are just my thoughts.
(shoes retail for around $200, resell price via Ebay can bee anywhere from $300 and higher).
Everything is all good until you die for your kicks. May the young man rest in peace. TKE sends our prayers to his family.
This Friday July 8th, 2011 3 NFL Players Chevis Jackson (Denver Broncos), Thomas Decoud (Atlanta Falcons), and Earl Bennett (Chicago Bears), give ATL youth a “Fresh Step” in the right direction.
“Fresh Steps” is Atlanta’s first youth charity sneaker event, giving youth the tools to empower their future. Read below for flyer and more info.
Check out this video filmed by G-Roc of The Shoe Game.
Press Release:
Thomas DeCoud of the Atlanta Falcons, Chevis Jackson of the Denver Broncos, & Earl Bennett of the Chicago Bears to host star studded event benefitting local Atlanta youth.
Atlanta, GA – Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud, Broncos cornerback Chevis Jackson, and Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett have joined their collective passion for sneakers, fashion and the arts to bring together the Atlanta sneakerhead, streetwear, fashion, and music community to help support the enrichment of Atlanta youth, creating their Fresh Steps program.
The inaugural event, to be hosted July 8th, 2011 from 8:30-11:00pm at 595 North Event Venue & Lounge (595 North Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30318) will exhibit and highlight independent and mainstream sneaker and fashion brands, feature a Battle of the Brands fashion show, as well as live performances by local artists and DJs, in addition to featuring Chevis, Thomas, & Earl and their friends from around the NFL.
“You can consider Thomas and I sneaker aficionados or “sneaker-heads” as serious collectors are referred to,” said Jackson. “When looking at my sneaker collection I remember how my family didn’t have the money to buy the fancy new Nikes or Jordans. And when my mom did buy me my first fresh pair of Nike’s, I felt like a new man, ready to take on the world. So I figured I would put my collection and contacts to use and give back to those that may not otherwise be able to afford a new pair of kicks.”
DeCoud echoed similar sentiments. “I had several brand new pairs of shoes that I haven’t worn or only worn once that I planned on giving away, but didn’t know the best way to do it.” DeCoud continued, “When Chev, Earl & I started talking, we came up with the idea of having an event to bring together the sneaker, fashion, sports, and entertainment community to help bring that same feeling we get in purchasing or wearing the hottest new sneaker to those less fortunate.”
“Thomas & Chevis share in the same passion in collecting rare sneakers and Jordans, but we also are passionate about the community and giving back” Bennett stated. “Being able to gather our friends in the sneaker community for this event and to inspire youth to achieve academically and even athletically by simply providing them with a new pair of sneakers is incredibly rewarding.”
The three players are asking those that attend their fresh steps event to bring $10 or a new or lightly worn pair of sneakers. A pack of school supplies will get someone 50% off the admissions charge. Their event will feature raffle giveaways including the chance to win exclusive sneakers such as the South Beach Jordan 6’s, Jordan True Blues, Cardinals and much more. In addition, Rihanna concert tickets, an Xbox Kinects gaming bundle, and gift cards to local Atlanta sneaker and fashion outlets will be given away.
FRESH STEPS—Sneaker Giveback Event Details:
Where: 595 North—Event Venue & Lounge,
595 North Ave NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Date: July 8th, 2011
Time: 8:30-11:00pm
Cost: $10/person
OR…bring a pair of new or gently-worn sneakers and receive 50% off of entry
Photo and Video courtesy of G-Roc from The Shoe Game
Last year around this time there was a BIG rumor that Foot Locker was finally opening up a House Of Hoops location in Atlanta. The rumor as I remember it was, there was going to be a new HOH location inside South Dekalb Mall (Decatur). Then the rumor switched locations, and Greenbriar Mall (Southwest Atlanta) became the intended target.
Then suddenly the rumors dried up. No House of Hoops ever opened in either mall, or in ATL, and all the attention shifted to the new NYC HOH location in Roosevelt Field and later to the new store in Miami.
A lil birdie told me about a month ago that there was going to be a House Of Hoops (HOH) opening in the ATL area and that it would be launching in Southlake Mall this summer. I must say I did NOT believe the news when I heard it.
Well it turns out it’s true. The Shoe Game leaked the info a few weeks back about the soft launch opening of the store. Now the grand opening info has been made public. The grand opening will take place tomorrow (Tues) at 2:30pm. 2pm on a Tuesday? I guess it’s more unemployed sneaker heads and basketball junkies than I thought in the area.
Sooooooooooo I think it’s cool the city is finally getting a House Of Hoops, as it’s long overdue. BUT I’m also a lil baffled at why the location although called HOH Atlanta is in Morrow, GA? I haven’t been to Southlake in about 10 years. Unless you live on that side of town (South Suburbs), there’s nothing to go over there for. I’m not understanding why they couldn’t put this location somewhere actually IN Atlanta. *Heavy Sigh*
Oh well…
If you live on the southside or interested in making a drive, House Of Hoops (outside) Atlanta opens tomorrow afternoon.
I swear the sneaker gods do NOT want me to have any money. The cement Jordan 3′s just dropped back in January, now Brand Jordan is hitting us with the True Blue 3′s tomorrow. From what I’m hearing these will be pretty limited everywhere you go, better get on it, if you’re trying to secure a pair.
To celebrate their 5 year anniversary, Boston sneaker boutique Bodega teamed up with Nike Sportswear to design several pairs Footscapes. The pair will be known as the “Night Cat” Pack. If you check out the tongue area, you can see the cat eye shapes. Other than that not really sure why they called these the “Night Cat” Pack, (Anybody Know?) but I will say they are pretty FRESH! If your not in Boston and can’t get to Bodgea, you can catch these in ATL at Wish tomorrow.
What I understand these babies will be pretty limited, so you won’t see these at your local Champs and Foot Locker. Shouts to Oliver Mak and Dan at Bodega Boston.
The other day I made a stop by the Unique Squared office in Northwest Atlanta. Upon arriving I started to realize that I knew a LOT of people who worked in this office, without knowing they worked in the office. HA. Unique Squared employs a lot of my people. After taking a tour of the compound via the homie AJ, I linked up with Soul Wallace who blessed me with a gift. The gift was a brand new Flud “Big Ben” timepiece. I say timepiece, cause this joint is WAY fresher than a watch. With two interchangeable bands you can switch up the look based on the occasion. It also comes in a fresh case that reminds me of a turntable crate that DJ’s carry when moving equipment. Expect to see this on my wrist this summer, but I gotta be careful where I wear it in the words of M.O.P. “them jewels you rock, make em envy!” HA.
Shouts to Soul Wallace, AJ, Tom, and the good people over at Unique Squared and Flud Watches.
Phil Knight (Nike Co Founder) recently appeared on Oprah. He blessed her and the audience with a custom pair of Nike Lunarglide 2′s and everybody got the new Nike x Tom Tom GPS Watch. (Which is a $200 watch by the way). There were only 400 pairs of the shoes made for Oprah, her audience, and staff. WOW!!!
Featuring laces printed with ‘Knight’ and ‘Winfrey’, Oprah’s logo on the tongue and a pic of Oprah’s favourite tree on the insole, Oprah’s pair came in a deluxe wooden wooden box made from a high school gymnasium floor inscribed with one of her pet quotes: “I still have my feet on the ground. I just wear better shoes.” Only 400 have been made, with each lucky Oprah audience member getting hooked up with a pair (cue hysterics.) See it all happen below!
An article by 
