Finally got out side today and it was a beautiful, cool, sunny afternoon… put me in the mood to listen to sum old Motown records. This is a quick sketch of a man I saw reading a newspaper. I would of drew more but I spent most of the time chasing my son around the park. Got some cool pics too, might post them a little later. – ericnine.com
This past week, our friend DJ Ykcor dropped a new mixtape entitled “The Campaign” by Cousin Bubb. Not like that’s something rare. Ykcor drops more mixtapes in a week than most people do in a year. We’re pleased to report that The Campaign is doing quite well and getting positive reviews. Don’t believe us? Check out this spot at the Washington Post.
I’m not late on this one because yes I know its been out for a minute. I just keep finding myself looking for the video online every few months since first seeing it and being utterly amazed. The creative genius who thought this up needs to be applauded. Wow. Not too often you see a hip-hop video with this much creativity and uniqueness. It beats rapping into a camera from different angles any day. Check it out.
It’s not too often a clothing line will shout out a competitor but a few weeks ago I came across this exceptionally well done video for a line I had never heard of named Defam Nation (obvious play on the word defamation). The video struck a chord with me because I keep finding myself coming back to it for the shear volume of art and message they having going on at several subconscious levels. I must say it was very well done. Take a look.
Back to work!!! I can only afford to take one day off a week. This year looks like its going to be a record breaker for me. January might of been my busiest month yet, since 2004. I’m sailing through my slow season so I’m really excited bout this summer. Its funny I’m realizing the busier I am the better work I do. Here’s some work I did for Dance 411. This is one of my favorite clients, they’re doing big things, including a new line of “Dance411 Wear”. A new street wear brand inspired by Jazz, Hip-Hop, and ballet dance culture.
Here’s some print ads I did for them too.
Today everyone was snowed in. Everything shuts down when it snows in Atlanta. Which isn’t really a big deal to me cuz I work from home… but I took the day off anyway. This was the result of me having to much extra time on my hands…
Sometimes you gotta do it just because.
Underground Philly sensation Tone Trump and DJ Ykcor from Coast2Coast mixtapes were on their way to Washington D.C. to do a magazine shoot with Cred Magazine (www.credxtra.com) and radio promo and interview with 93.9 FM WPGC, but they made time to stop in Baltimore to cop some Vintage gear and catch up with me.
It’s great to see Philly reppin’ a Bmore brand. Much love. We’ll be bringing you an exclusive interview with Tone Trump in the near future. For now, check him out at www.myspace.com/tonetrump
And if you haven’t checked out the interview I did with DJ Ykcor, click here.
Ushering in its 20 year anniversary like only Nike can do the footwear kings decided to re-issue a classic. As it’s name indicates the Air Max ’90 was first released in 1990. Featuring the legend AIR MAX on the side panel and visible air bubble in the heel. This exclusive White/Black/Blue/Gray colorway can only be found at JD Sports in the UK for about 90 Euros (click here to see more photo’s of the shoe on JD’s website). For fun we decided to see what would happen if we paired up these hot kicks with our own classics. We matched them with our Lion in the City retro blue t-shirt and gray molten wool/black/white Art Addiction fitted hat. The combination of similar colors and complimenting textures made for a good look.
A lot of brands get competitive. They don’t want to share the spotlight. Everyone is striving for the same piece of the pie. But here at Vintage we don’t hate on anyone. So today I wanted to share with you four brands I like and those which consistently come out with great drops. If you’re like me, you diversify your wardrobe like you diversify your investment portfolio cause you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing the same thing twice (well, ok that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point). So here they are in no particular order:
Crooks and Castles
Crooks and Castles is the classic signature series brand that has the same philosophy that made such brands like Polo famous. Just like everyone wants that polo rider on their apparel, Crooks brings the Big C with style. And boy do they have some hats! My attraction to Crooks has to be the emphasis on their logo. No art prints with swirling lines and paint splatters and random art work. That all has it’s place, but not here. Word is that Jay-Z is a financial backer of this Melrose-born high-end boutiquer. If that’s true, it’s helping C&C push the envelope and stay at the head of the class by dropping fresh lines. Karma Loop (the largest internet site for private label designers) never seems exhausted on their “recently arrived updates” with Crooks drops, and you’re almost always guaranteed to find something new each week, of course if your wallet can handle the abuse.
Rocksmith
Rocksmith is the Japanese take on American hip hop. And they do a pretty reasonable job of capturing our fashionable couture. Unlike Bape or Billionaire Boys Club which turn the hip hop culture on its head with unique Anime interpretations, cutesy animals, ice cream cones, loud colors, and all the stuff that were it the 1990s the prevailing gangster officiators of the hip hop world would have laughed them into obscurity, the Japanese, who also have hyperbolic interpretations of American culture, go all out with these fashions. But not Rocksmith. The true, classic hip hop branding is alive and well with these guys and I only expect great things in the future.
Adidas
You’re likely to find just about any color or material combination with an Adidas brand shoe. While other brands like Nike compete aggressively, it really comes down to personal preference and whether you like those three stripes or that Nike swoosh. Rocking Adidas is a tacit protest against all the rank commercialism in today’s hip hop culture (even though Adidas is about as big a household name as Coca-Cola). Even so, when I think of classic hip hop, I think of Run DMC and I think of those white Adidas with black stripes, of which I also sport a pair.
Marc Ecko
Impressions of Ecko vary from pleasingly pertinent tokens of high art to a one-time conscientious caretaker of the graffiti culture who sold out for the almighty buck. Whatever your impression may be, Ecko consistently delivers with amazing art print t-shirts, street wear (with the largest selection of track jackets I’ve ever seen), jewelry, and shoe drops. The Ecko store around my way changes it’s inventory it seems on a bi-weekly basis, so I’m never disappointed when I walk in to check out what’s fresh. And the prices are affordable. I can ransack their sales rack and walk out with a handful of shirts. So whatever your take, Ecko is constantly on its game.
The Coast2Coast mixtape website is known for producing some of the best and most widely available tapes in the industry. Many big names as well as unsigned and some relatively new artists find their way into their compilations. DJ Ykcor is one of the forces behind the turntables at Coast2Coast. If you didn’t see our recent interview with him, scroll down just a little.
Recently they launched a print magazine, and our man Wordsmith appears in Issue 4. Take a look here.
