I caught this video on Kix and the City yesterday.

Few things I found interesting. MJ was playing for the Bulls before he officially finished college. Mike had a LOT of endorsements early in career, and there’s a LOT of politics in the endorsement world, as you can see by watching this clip.

And I don’t know who’s Mikes stylist was but that patent leather jump suit is Ugggggly!

This past Wednesday night one the most anticipated sneakers of this year was released. The Jordan XI aka the Cool Greys are what many sneakers heads have been waiting for all year. The Shoe Game patterned up with the Nike Store Lenox once again to celebrate their 4 year anniversary. This also became the official Jordan Cool Grey midnight launch event.

Hundreds of people, young, old, black, white, lined up (some got there as early as 4pm) for a chance to get their hands on the shoes which weren’t being sold until midnight. This not only happened in ATL but at sneaker spots all across the county. It was reported in the news that there were even small riots in places like Houston, Texas. Jordan, Cool Greys, etc. all became Trending Topics on the social media website Twitter. There was even SO much traffic on NikeStore.com around midnight that it caused the site to crash momentarily. WOW! No one sneaker should all that Power!

While sneaker heads waited to buy the shoes at midnight, The Shoe Game held raffles, DJ D-Cas keep the vibe festive, and sneaker heads, artists, managers, etc all got their network on. Shouts to G-Roc and Calvin from The Shoe Game not only on celebrating 4 Years, but being a positive force in the ATL sneaker community. Also shouts to DJ Greg Street, CyHi Da Prynce, Young Joc, and everybody else who came out. I posted a couple pics below, check out more at The Shoe Game.

Nike Store Lenox Crew

The place was PACKED

Grand Opening… Grand Closing.
A before and after shot of the boxes in the stock room that housed the Jordan sneakers.

After all these years, Michael Jordan and Nike STILL have sneaker heads going CRAZY around the word. Camping out for limited releases, trading at events like Dunk Exchange, etc., and not even to mention the Re-Sale game industry that has been created over the years via bay and the forums.

BIG Shouts to the homie G-Roc. TSG – The Shoe Game (www.theshoegame.com) just celebrated their 4 year anniversary. To honor the anniversary the TSG Fam teamed up with the Nike Running Store Lenox to celebrate.

The anniversary event will be taking place next Wednesday December 22nd. It starts at 9:30pm and ends at 1:00am. The event is open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. Don’t mess around and show up late, and be stuck standing outside.

I also got word that TSG will be raffling off 17 pairs kicks including the South Beach Lebrons, DB Jordan 3′s, and more.

And if that isn’t enough the Nike Store will be selling the Jordan Cool Grey’s right at midnight.

Let’s just say you need to be in attendance. Of course we have more surprises, but all the info you need to know regarding the event can be found on the flyer above.

About The Cool Grey Jordan 11′s:

The Nike Air Jordan XI (11) was originally released in 1995/96.

Michael Jordan was back for real and he led the Bulls to yet another NBA victory. He also became the second man to ever win Most Valuable Player awards for the regular season, All-Star Game and NBA Finals in the same season. He averaged 30.4 points per game and scored 40 or more points in nine games.

Since Michael Jordan was back, so was Tinker Hatfield. A terrific design with a new patent leather and the return of the clear rubber sole made the Air Jordan XI the most appreciated Air Jordan model ever released.

Back to the banning days Michael Jordan was fined $5000 per game during the semifinals in 1995 for wearing the white/black-dark concord XI’s. He wore them twice and this was looked upon as uniform violation as the rest of the Bulls wore entirely black shoes. (This kind of brings back memories from when the I’s were banned from the NBA.)

Being fined two games was enough though and the next game he wore Anfernee Hardaway’s shoes.

But did Nike enjoy Michael Jordan not wearing Jordans? Probably not as he got the “Space Jams” for the remaining games. The same shoes that could also be seen in the movie Space Jam.

When the XI’s were retroed in 2000-2001 they would prove to become the retro that sold in the highest quantity ever and also the fastest selling Air Jordans of all time.

- Source

WHEW!!! What a year it’s been. It’s been a LONG while since I posted any kicks on the Blog. Anybody who knows me, knows I’m into sneakers, not one of these collector cats but just somebody who enjoys keeping a fresh pair on my feet as much as possible.

With the recent turn of events in the economy, money has been TIGHT to say the least (At least for me it has, some of ya’ll are still balling!) I haven’t been able to partake in the sneaker game like I would have like too. There’s been a LOT of heat dropping thru the summer / fall of this year as well.

So I came up with a lil snap shot of the some of the kicks that have been released this year that I would really LOVE to see on my feet! Call it a Foot Fetish Bucket list if you will.

Air Force One Hi Workboot:
Now there is actually two versions of this shoe. One version features a all leather midsole, while the more recent version features a traditional rubber midsole. I really would like the OG version with the leather midsole, but If I can get my hands on either or, I’d be happy. This is one of the Illest Air Force Hi’s I’ve seen in a while (next too the Air Force One Foamposites).

Air Max 95 Ostrich:
The Nike Air Max 95 is one of my favorite shoes of all time. It’s sleek, stylish, super comfortable, and never goes out of style. This new all black color way with the ostrich print on the side panel is CRAZY!

Tebow Trainer 1.2:
Nike and EA Sports came together once again to release this Trainer 1.2 in cross promotion of EA Sports NCAA 11 video game. Tim Tebow was selected as this years cover athlete, so this shoe has been dubbed the Tim Tebow Trainer. Super limited! I TRIED to get my hands on these when they were released, but had no luck!

Nike Air Diamond Turf AKA The Deions!!!

The 90′s were a GREAT time for Nike Cross Training shows. Football players like Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Deion Sanders not only dominated on the turf, but they also had FRESH kicks to do it in. Originally released in 93 when Primetime was with the ATL Falcons, this shoe became an instant classic. A lot of people say the colorway was inspired by the San Francisco 49ers, because of the gold mesh, and true Deion did play for the 9ers. BUT, these actually dropped a season prior to that, when DS was still in ATL with Andre Rison reeking havoc in the GA Dome. Only thing I don’t like about the re-issued edition of this shoe, is they took Deion’s # off the tongue and replaced it with 2010. But still a classic for the collection.

Gold Air Max 97:
Every time I see these shoes it reminds of the shoes Olympian Michael Johnson wore at the 96 Olympics in ATL. You know the year where he broke all those records and claimed the title “Fastest Man In The World!” These gold 97′s make me feel like I can be fast with em on my feet.

Boise State Nike Air Zoom Huarache (Rivalry Pack):
Recently Nike released the NCCA Rivarly Pack which contained several Huarache Trainers in various school colorways. Miami, PITT, Ohio State, etc were all chosen, but the ones that stand out the most too me… are these Boise State joints!!!

Parra Air Max 1:
And last not but not least… The Parra Air Max 1. The only person I ever seen wearing this shoe is Bun B. He was rocking these when I seen him in Texas back in March for the SXSW Festival. Only released in Europe these bad boys are SUPER hard to find, but much needed for my Air Max 1 collection.

And there you have it. Confessions from a man with a Foot Fetish. While I haven’t gotten these shoes yet, don’t get it twisted the kid still has PLENTY of heat that I plan to bring out this winter. Stay Tuned.

This past friday evening Sole Plus in conjunction with Converse joined forces to present ART+SOLE+LIFE. The ART+SOLE+LIFE exhibit is sneaker art with a conscience, created to highlight the non-profit work of Sole Plus. In an exhibit that features artists telling the stories of their everyday lives using shoes as their canvas, A+S+L is the fusion of shoe design, art, activism, and philanthropy, rolled into a one-of-a-kind interactive exhibit that visually and emotionally takes each guest through the footsteps of sole expression.

The Sole Plus initiative began in October of 2009, and has allowed hundreds of young people to use their artistic views to connect with those in need. Sole Plus is a 501 – c3, non-profit organization that was founded on the quote by Pablo Picasso, “Art washes away from the [sole] the dust of everyday life.” The SOLES of our shoes collect dust and dirt from places traveled in the same way that our SOULS collect dust through life’s trials. The Sole Plus design competition metaphorically washes the dust and dirt from the SOULS of our young artists by providing them with an avenue of expression. The brainchild of Brian Keith Miller, Sole Plus literally washes away the dust and dirt from the SOLES of our shoe recipients by providing a needed pair of shoes to replace old ones.”
“The purpose of ART+SOLE+LIFE is to bring awareness to the Sole Plus initiatives. The exhibit also serve as a platform which showcases artists from the established art community who are willing to leverage their talents to support the Sole Plus mission”, states Brian Keith Miller (founder of Sole Plus). By combining the organization’s efforts and artist’s talents, A+S+L will show the community that the fusion of SOLE(shoes), Social activism, and ART is a unique and creative way to have an impact on the world. The artists (ART) use shoes (SOLE) to tell stories of everyday experiences (LIFE). A+S+L launch event has also partnered with the Nike Shoe Recycling Program: Nike Reuse-A-Shoe.

I was in the place repping with my Nike Familia (Clientele Cal and Warren). We held a Nike I.D. raffle, as well promoted the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program.

DJ G-Mack aka Hollywood G, was the evenings DJ who kept the sounds lively while people checked out the art that was on the shoes, as well as dove into the free drinks that were on hand courtesy of Saraphin.

Here’s some more pics from the evening.
(more…)

This past Tuesday night Sept 14th Public Enemy made a stop in Atlanta to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Fear Of A Black Planet album… Man.. to think it’s been 20 years.

Carolyn Grady of Rhythmic Images snapped some GREAT pics from the show. I liked this one personally.

It’s a shot of Flavor Flav rocking the Futura Designed / Yankee Inspired Air Force One Highs. Salute to Flav for being FRESH for 20 years.

Chuck D sits down with Billboard to talk about “Fear Of The Black Planet” 20 Years Later.

So yesterday I was going thru some kicks, trying to clean up around my place a little. And to my surprise I find not 1 but TWO pairs of Nike Air Lava Domes (Navy/Volt/Tan) Colorway. One pair I’ve worn a few times while the other is brand new / mint deadstock condition.

Upon my discovery I got to thinking about all the Fly shoes Nike has released over the years that many have forgotten about. Especially in the 90′s when I started to get into sneakers heavy, great running, training, and basketball shoes became part of the everyday wardrobe even if you didn’t partake in sports. The Nike Lava Domes and Son Of Lava Domes were part tennis shoe and part hiking boot.

The Lava Dome was Nike’s first venture into outdoor footwear. It was designed for running and trekking. These were the first shoes I can personally remember setting the foundation for Nike ACG (All Conditions Gear). While I didn’t do any hiking in them, they were perfect for rocking with a pair of crispy denim in the fall / winter time.

As you can see I liked the Lava Dome’s so much I purchased 2 pair. I also have Lava Domes in 3 other colorways. The pair that was my favorite (Tan/Orange) look like they’ve just came home from the Vietnam War, but every once in a while I’ll still throw them on, dirty and all.

I bought these circa 2002 / 03. Looks like I’m going to have to break these out for the Fall.

I’m NO Sneakerhead. Just a guy with a lot of kicks and stories to match.

“If you haven’t bought a pair of sneakers from Walters, you haven’t bought a pair of sneakers” – Sean

Shout out to the homie Sean at Walters who’s been there since I’ve lived in Atlanta. I’ve purchased several pairs of shoes from the homie over the years. The good folks at Nice Kicks and Sid Ashford take you beyond the blog, and let you know why Walter’s a staple in the Atlanta sneaker community.