Wu Tang x Casio G-Shock DW-6900: A Closer Look
In addition to celebrating its own 30th birthday earlier this year, Casio recently helped to celebrate the 20th anniversary of legendary hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. The watch label partnered with Staten Island’s 9-deep crew for an iconic black-and-yellow DW-6900, a model that quite fittingly debuted in the ’90s. Featuring an instantly recognizable black and yellow colorway and technical details like water-resistance, stopwatch, and a full automatic calendar, this piece of horological history is also notable for its use of a “W” logo as the backdrop for its EL backlight. For fans of classic hip-hop and G-Shocks, this limited-edition must-have is available now at our online store.
Source:HYPEBEAST
Rumor: Supreme to Release Collection Featuring Basquiat's Artwork
The latest news regarding Supreme has the brand working on a collection featuring Jean-Michel Basquiat‘s iconic artwork. According to a representative at Artestar — a brand licensing and consulting company with the Basquiat estate among its clients — Supreme has been granted the rights to use the celebrated artist’s works. An acclaimed Neo-expressionist and Primitivist painter who rose from obscurity as a graffiti artist, Basquiat’s works have been licensed out to Reebok, Valentino and Uniqlo in the past. The rumors suggest that we can expect the artist’s work to make an appearance on a selection of hats, tees and sweatshirts as part of a 2013 spring/summer release. Stay tuned…
RZA Explains The Origin of The Wu Tang Clan To Funkmaster Flex
Source:HYPEBEAST
Beats By Dr. Dre Executive Headphones
Following the announcement of the Beats by Dre Pill portable speakers, the company has released the Executive Headphones. The first set of headphones from the company since parting ways with Monster, these new headphones boast a sleek, upscale design while still retaining many of the Beats line’s signature design cues. Coming in a slick black and aluminum colorway, the headphones incorporate luxe materials such as brushed aluminum and leather. As with previous Beats headphones, these boast active noise-cancelling, particularly handy for frequent travelers and commuters. Retailing for $300 USD, you can grab a pair over at Beats by Dre’s online store.
Source: HYPEBEAST
Having previously featured the likes of Johnny Knoxville, Arian Foster, Wale, Chris Evans, Jake Johnson and Charlotte Ronson, the latest episode of BECOMING highlights Queens native and hip-hop icon Nas. An interview series created by the producers of Half Nelson, Blue Valentine and ESPN’s The Life,BECOMING caught up with Nasir Jones as he prepped for a headlining spot at the Bay Area’s Rock The Bells festival in San Bernadino, California following this summer’s highly-anticipated release of Life Is Good. The two-part episode sees the pride of Queensbridge reflecting on the mayhem of the first hip-hop show he ever attended, the production of Illmatic, the first time he ever heard himself on the radio, and his growth as both a man and artist from 1994 to present.
Source:HYPEBEAST
The Simpsons X Shephard Fairey "Dope Poster
HYPETRAK TV: Jessie Ware - An Intricate Tale
Source:HYPETRAK/HYPEBEAST
Talib Kweli Talks Brooklyn’s Gentrification and Food with Anthony Bourdain
KAWS Wraps MTA Subway Train Inside and Out for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Rumor: Supreme to Release Collection Featuring Basquiat's Artwork
Source: HYPBEAST/HUH.
Heineken Red Star Access Philadelphia
The Heineken Red Star Access tour rolled into Philadelphia last Saturday, packing the Electric Factory with fans eager to witness live performances from Nas and Wale, along with a surprise appearance by hometown hero Freeway. Hosting duties were handled by comedian Affion Crockett, while Q-Tip was the house DJ for the event. Wale took to the stage with a live band, kicking off his set with “Ambition,” and performing hits ranging from debut single “Nike Boots” to last year’s “The Break Up Song.” For his set, Nas drew from his latest album, Life Is Good, as well as the seminal Illmatic. Check out images from the event in the gallery below.
Source:FRESHNESS
RZA Explains The Origin of The Wu Tang Clan To Funkmaster Flex
As RZA’s media onslaught continues in support of his first full-length film The Man with the Iron Fists, he recently sat down with Funkmaster Flex to discuss what first brought him to the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist: Wu-Tang Clan. The first part of a three-part series, RZA touches on how the film defies traditional Hollywood conventions – calling it “as creatively important as Enter the 36 Chambers” – as well as how the name “Wu-Tang” came about. For fans of both film and music, the interview is quite enlightening.
Source:HYPEBEAST
Beats By Dr. Dre Executive Headphones
Following the announcement of the Beats by Dre Pill portable speakers, the company has released the Executive Headphones. The first set of headphones from the company since parting ways with Monster, these new headphones boast a sleek, upscale design while still retaining many of the Beats line’s signature design cues. Coming in a slick black and aluminum colorway, the headphones incorporate luxe materials such as brushed aluminum and leather. As with previous Beats headphones, these boast active noise-cancelling, particularly handy for frequent travelers and commuters. Retailing for $300 USD, you can grab a pair over at Beats by Dre’s online store.
Source: HYPEBEAST
Video: Louis Vuitton Interprets Muhammad Ali’s ‘Float’ with Yasiin Bey and Niels Shoe Meulman
Today we present the third chapter of the collaboration by Louis Vuitton, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def) and calligrapher Niels Shoe Meulman, in honor of Muhammad Ali.
Source: HIGHSNOBIETY
BECOMING: Nas
Having previously featured the likes of Johnny Knoxville, Arian Foster, Wale, Chris Evans, Jake Johnson and Charlotte Ronson, the latest episode of BECOMING highlights Queens native and hip-hop icon Nas. An interview series created by the producers of Half Nelson, Blue Valentine and ESPN’s The Life,BECOMING caught up with Nasir Jones as he prepped for a headlining spot at the Bay Area’s Rock The Bells festival in San Bernadino, California following this summer’s highly-anticipated release of Life Is Good. The two-part episode sees the pride of Queensbridge reflecting on the mayhem of the first hip-hop show he ever attended, the production of Illmatic, the first time he ever heard himself on the radio, and his growth as both a man and artist from 1994 to present.
Source:HYPEBEAST
KAWS Companion Balloon for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
KAWS’ iconic Companion character is joining the ranks of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradelater this month in the form of a 40-foot-long balloon, made from urethane-coated nylon. KAWS, real name Brian Donnelly, is one of only five living artists (the others being Takashi Murakami, Tim Burton, Jeff Koons, and Tom Otterness) to be bestowed this honor.
“Companion has been a recurring character for me,” says Donnelly. In the past decade, it has been both a toy and a monumental sculpture. A 16-foot steel version went up in Hong Kong’s Harbour City in 2010 and, later, outside of New York’s Standard hotel. Painted gray, white and brown, the figure poses in a seated position, hunched slightly and covering its eyes. “I was thinking, God, if I had to sit there all day and have a million people pass me and stare, I’d be mortified,” says Donnelly. “That would be the worst experience ever. That’s where the pose came from.” A variation on that Companion will fly on Thanksgiving. “I think this is a first for the parade,” says Macy’s lead designer, John Piper, standing in a roomful of brightly colored clay prototypes at Macy’s 75,000-square-foot parade studio in New Jersey. “It’s the first time we’ve had a character that’s shy.”
It took more than 30 people roughly seven months to make it a reality and is the biggest pieces KAWS has ever done.
Source:HIGHSNOBIETY
The Simpsons X Shephard Fairey "Dope Poster
Earlier this year The Simpsons aired an episode titled, “Exit Through The Kwik-E-Mart,” which featured guest stars Shepard Fairey, Robbie Conal, Kenny Scharf and Ron English. In that episode Bart becomes a famous street artist for tagging his city with a stencil of Homer’s face and the word “Dope” printed below. Advancing its stocking to include retailers outside of Springfield, Shepard Fairey aligns with The Simpsonsto offer the aforementioned poster through Urban Outfitters. The “Dope” poster can be purchased here for $24 USD.
Source: Arrested Motion/HYPEBEAST
HYPETRAK TV: Jessie Ware - An Intricate Tale
Jessie Ware initially rose to prominence by adding her warm soulful vocals to electronic music tracks for the likes of SBTRKT, but the South London singer has brought a taste of neo soul to her repertoire with the release of debut album Devotion. Having already made waves with the release of “Wildest Moments,” “Running,” and “110%,” the LP drop and Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize nomination has proven that 2012 has been a continuous upward curve for Ware. HYPETRAK sat down with Jessie to talk about the Devotion’s embellished stories, her Barclaycard Mercury Prize nomination, and her affinity for British soul icon Sade. Watch the interview above and Devotion is available now on iTunes.
Source:HYPETRAK/HYPEBEAST
Talib Kweli Talks Brooklyn’s Gentrification and Food with Anthony Bourdain
For the final season of Anthony Bourdain‘s much loved “No Reservations,” the former chef turned author and TV host made sure to stop by the New York’s most populous borough, Brooklyn. Sitting down with Brooklyn native Talib Kweli, the two discuss how the borough has changed, both for the better and the worse. Check out the short clip for a look at the two as they eat some delectable looking eats and be sure to check out the final season of “No Reservations.”
Source:HYPEBEAST
M.I.A. for PAPERMAG
M.I.A. has released three full-length albums and a handful of mixes. She’s also a visual artist, having gotten her start by designing album covers for Justine Frischmann of Elastica, and selling some of her early work to Jude Law.
Her brand new coffee-table book, out now from Rizzoli, is a collection of the artwork she made to accompany each of her albums – Arular, Kala, Maya – as well as the Vicki Leekx mix and her record label N.E.E.T.
M.I.A. is the only artist ever to be nominated for an Academy Award, Grammy Award, Brit Award, Mercury Prize and the Alternative Turner Prize.
Source:HIGHSNOBIETY/PAPERMAG
KAWS Wraps MTA Subway Train Inside and Out for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York artist Kaws surprises us every time. Months ago first news came out that he would be the 5th living artist (the others being Takashi Murakami, Tim Burton, Jeff Koons, and Tom Otterness) to have a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Last month we gave you a first look at the massive Kaws Companion balloon, that will be appearing in the parade.
But it all goes a little further – Kaws also created artworks to wrap a full MTA Subway Train inside and out in his art, to promote the parade. Today we can show you detailed images of the outcome. Having followed his work for so many years already, it is incredible seeing how far he has come. The situation is even a little ironic if you think about it – a former graffiti artist turned gallery artist, enemy to the MTA, now has an entire train officially covered in his art, riding through the city. Amazing!
Source: HIGHSNOBIETY
Pen & Paper: GREG MIKE
Born and raised in Connecticut, it was only until he started visiting New York City in the 80′s that GREG MIKE realized the potential of art and design. Inspired by the bold artwork of mid-century cartoons, MIKE began to mix the grandiloquence of street art with the precision and crisp lines seen in more commercial illustrations. Further progressing his art form, MIKE began incorporating bold pops of color with his signature, twisted characters. A mix of the mischievous and the unsettling, his characters occupy vivid and surreal scenes. With his first exhibit, “Popstars and Cokeheads” opening to rave reviews, the artist has been jumping from strength to strength. Currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, MIKE currently serves as the creative director of ABV, the multi-platform studio-cum-gallery he founded. In this latest installment of Pen & Paper, GREG MIKE sat down to create a special piece for us in his signature style. Check the entire gallery for a look at how MIKE created this stunning little piece. For a greater look into GREG MIKE’s work, head over to both his Twitter and Instagram.
Source:HYPEBEAST
Pen & Paper: GREG MIKE
Born and raised in Connecticut, it was only until he started visiting New York City in the 80′s that GREG MIKE realized the potential of art and design. Inspired by the bold artwork of mid-century cartoons, MIKE began to mix the grandiloquence of street art with the precision and crisp lines seen in more commercial illustrations. Further progressing his art form, MIKE began incorporating bold pops of color with his signature, twisted characters. A mix of the mischievous and the unsettling, his characters occupy vivid and surreal scenes. With his first exhibit, “Popstars and Cokeheads” opening to rave reviews, the artist has been jumping from strength to strength. Currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, MIKE currently serves as the creative director of ABV, the multi-platform studio-cum-gallery he founded. In this latest installment of Pen & Paper, GREG MIKE sat down to create a special piece for us in his signature style. Check the entire gallery for a look at how MIKE created this stunning little piece. For a greater look into GREG MIKE’s work, head over to both his Twitter and Instagram.
Source:HYPEBEAST
Fabolous So NY
Brooklyn rapper Fabolous loves the streets he was raised on. That’s why when Hurricane Sandy destroyed parts of New York, Fab shot his video for the Empire State anthem “So NY.”
The black-and-white clip directed by TAJ-TPK shows Loso traveling around the city in the wake of the hurricane. Footage of flooding and other disaster areas are cut with Fab’s performance. The performance finds the formerly chipped tooth rapper being backed by a live band.
Source:THEURBANDAILY
Looking Good In the Hood" by JANNE IIVONEN for GOODHOOD
London Based Goodhood Store releases a new series of illustrations by Janne Iivonen inspired by various Goodhood Store shoppers. All of them are wearing the latest items like Carhartt, Norse Projects, Paul Smith and more. Head over to Goodhood for an interactive shopping experience on their festive shoppers.
Source:SELECTISM
Azealia Banks-Look of the Future
Looking Good In the Hood" by JANNE IIVONEN for GOODHOOD
London Based Goodhood Store releases a new series of illustrations by Janne Iivonen inspired by various Goodhood Store shoppers. All of them are wearing the latest items like Carhartt, Norse Projects, Paul Smith and more. Head over to Goodhood for an interactive shopping experience on their festive shoppers.
Source:SELECTISM
Azealia Banks-Look of the Future
Azealia Banks
is blowing up the scene right now with her string of successful track
releases and accompanying visually-exciting videos. The Harlem rapper
has also been consorting with some prominent fashion designers, and has
become a style icon in the fashion industry. Currently, her much-delayed
and long-anticipated debut album Broke With Expensive Taste is still in the works for an early 2013 release, which the 21-year-old artist declares will be “anti-pop”. HYPETRAK TV
got a chance to speak with her during a recent stint at the Clockenflap
music festival in Hong Kong — watch the video for the complete
interview.
Source: HYPETRAK/HYPEBEAST
Jermaine Dupri Breaks Down The History of Eyewear
For four years now the Vintage Frames Company has grown to become a worldwide leader in vintage eyewear supplying celebrities with rare pieces from brands like Cazal, Neostyle, Dior, Persol, Ray-Ban and more. Its success is attributed to a knowledgeable staff traveling the world to curate a collection largely made up of designer frames from the second half of the last century . Founded on heritage, the Montreal-based label premieres its latest webseries looking back at The History Of Eyewear In Hip-Hop. In its inaugural episode legendary super producer Jermaine Dupri explains the importance of eyewear in the hip-hop culture from Kris Kross to The Fat Boys. For behind the scenes footage visit the Vintage Frames Company here.
Source:HYPEBEAST
Source: HYPETRAK/HYPEBEAST
Jermaine Dupri Breaks Down The History of Eyewear
For four years now the Vintage Frames Company has grown to become a worldwide leader in vintage eyewear supplying celebrities with rare pieces from brands like Cazal, Neostyle, Dior, Persol, Ray-Ban and more. Its success is attributed to a knowledgeable staff traveling the world to curate a collection largely made up of designer frames from the second half of the last century . Founded on heritage, the Montreal-based label premieres its latest webseries looking back at The History Of Eyewear In Hip-Hop. In its inaugural episode legendary super producer Jermaine Dupri explains the importance of eyewear in the hip-hop culture from Kris Kross to The Fat Boys. For behind the scenes footage visit the Vintage Frames Company here.
Source:HYPEBEAST