School Clothes Academy, pt 3: Nike Air Carivore Retro 2010

If you know me, then you know I love obscure, dead stock kicks. It doesn't matter who the company is, Nike, Reebok, Puma or Adidas. If you can buy them in your local mall, I'm not wearing them. Alright, OK. Now that I've got that off my chest, checkout this "Huarache & Air Max" inspired pups called "Nike Air Carnivore Retro 2010".
Yes, I know where to buy 'em....and NO, I aint tellin! LOL.

A Letter to Allen Iverson...

Hey Allen. How you been, homie? Damn, its been like forever since I last saw you. Hows the wife and kids? Oops, my bad! I heard about your domestic issues. I'm sure it'll all blow over with time. Anyway, have you been watching the NBA playoffs this year?! Wow! Its been so intense and its only week 2. Ray Allen, Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant are fighting like dogs to get that championship trophy. That 1996 draft class is really representing nicely. Even Marcus Camby is putting in work for the Blazers. Wait a minute! Weren't you a part of that class? Hold on...you were the #1 pick, right. Damn...that seems like years ago. But I remember...trust me, I remember...


I remember watching you dunk on Marcus Camby during the 1996 NCAA tournament... I remember your blazing speed and ridiculous handles...I remember UCONN and Syracuse changing their defensive schemes to try and stop you. Ha! Ya right! I remember the so-called experts constantly yapping about your troubled past...I remember hearing how "young and immature" they thought you were...how you needed to stay in college 3 more years...Dummies.



Your game had no flaws, your intensity was unparalleled. You did what other players couldn't do. You said what others were afraid to say. You brought the streets to the league and the streets loved you for it. The braids. The ink. The wrist bands. The ankle bracelets. The officials banned your crossover...the vets criticized your hair...the media hated the tattoos. Remember that dress code that was put in place a few years ago? Yup, all thanks to you Allen Iverson. The league hated hip hop culture...and you are the living, breathing embodiment of it.




But time waits for no man and now you're at the crossroads. We hear the rumors. Gambling addiction. Alcohol abuse. Times are hard. But the streets will always love Allen Iverson. For better or for worse. Get your mind right...get your game right. We'll see you in the Hall of Fame soon enough...

Yo check 'em out, its the new A5's you gotta rock em
They even put a zone in the league to try to stop him
He's the Answer and the problem, you don't want it with
The way that boy go to the hole and take punishment
The young boss of the cross for four quarters
And from three point land, he's all water
Matter fact, call him the king
The way he breaks down the defense
Its like he got the ball on a string
And he will blow by you fast
Penetrate and dish it off
Or let it go high off the glass, ugh
All you need is a pair of these, nuttin else
Ya hesitation is stoppin, poppa we sumthin else

Jadakiss (Reebok Commercial)

School Clothes Academy, pt 2 (Nike Air Max 1 "Parra-X-Patta")

A pair of bright phat yellow Air Max
Hit the racks, stack 'em up Son, $20 off no tax

"Apollo Kids" - GhostFace Killa, 2000


Okay,I gotta be honest. These days, I get more excited over a sweet pair of kicks than a bad chic. Not to say that Toronto doesn't have plenty of eye candy. So, for my fellas looking for a new "franchise player" to join their roster this summer, these puppies from Nike will definitely turn heads.






Described as "lush as a rhubarb pie" by my co-d's @ Sneakerfreaker.com, the Nike Air Max "Parra x Patta" wont be available at ur local Champs or Footlocker (Do ya'll still shop there...really??). Check out http://www.patta.nl/ and join their mailing list for official release and pricing information. But get in line...cuz they'll sellout fast!

Who is Nicki Minaj

Ladies night: Hair done. Nails did. Push-up Bras. Jeggings. High Heels. Lip Gloss. Make up. Every woman wants to look her best when its "lights camera action". Is it style over substance? Or merely playing the role to get what you want? Whether its an internal need for attention, the pursuit of happiness or the desire to express themselves, women understand the importance of appearance, style and beauty. Enter Nicki Minaj...the consistent contradiction.





(NICKI on the COME UP DVD, 2007) press PLAY to watch

This was my first introduction to Nicki Minaj. Looking sexy as hell as she sat in the staircase spitting fire and talking s#@t. She's a typical bad chic from Queens, New York ready to take on the world. Her confidence and swagger was evident even back then. Her initial mixtape "Playtime's over", was a certified banger. She destroyed each track with her witty wordplay, street demeanor and quirky sense of humor. It was clear that she would surpass the successful path laid out by fellow NY Femcees Foxy Brown and Lil Kim....then something changed...






(NICKI on Rip The Runway, 2010) press PLAY to watch...


Wow. From the accent, to the outfit, to her rhyme style. Nicki has transformed her self. But the question remains: Is she a product of marketing by her label, management and crew (Young Money)? Or, is this the natural progression of a young lady coming into her own? An artist expressing herself thru music AND style. Is it possible that she's always been a "Harajuku" Barbie and now shes free to be herself? Maybe the "ride or die" chic image she protrayed was all a front...a way to get the Hip Hop audiences attention. Think about it. Kanye didn't wear tight pants when he first stepped on the seen...Andre 3000 was sporting jerseys and jeans in OutKasts' debut videos. I'll let you determine where image and marketing begins...and artistic integrity ends. For now, lets enjoy the beats, lyrics and rhymes from Hip Hops next reigning Mrs....and allow her to blaze her own trail.



(Massive Attack- music video)

School Clothes Academy, pt.1

Whether you're single, taken or "complicated", you always wanna put your best look forward. For those working with a tight budget, its all about making smart choices this spring. It aint about how much you paid, its how you put it together. Welcome to the "School Clothes Academy"...




I'm Definitely NOT an advocate of the "slim fit" era...but I'm willing to trim some fat to make this bad boy work. Check it out at http://bananarepublic.gap.com
Slim fit linen macro-plaid shirt $69.50 CDN.



Casual. That delicate area between the office and the street. This jacket will quickly become a MVP in your spring jacket lineup when its time to get fresh on a mild Toronto night. Cotton khaki trench jacket: $225.50 CDN http://bananarepublic.gap.com



"Fitted/Skinny" Jeans aren't in my vocab. But, its still important to have a nice clean look below the waist to compliment your high-end kicks. These Sean Johns are a great addition to your grown man wardrobe. $69.99 CDN



These babies are disgusting. The Fly High Silvano are exclusive kicks found at http://www.silvanoapparel.com/ Price N/A

Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal....G.U.R.U.

The overlord, cream of the crop, creme de la creme
Spent years buildin with cats in the streets, so they my men
Again, GangStarr has done it
Remember too much jewels back in the days? You'd have to run it

Ever lost a loved one that you've never met? A friend you grew up with that doesn't even know your name? Your favorite teacher who never graded your final exam. That voice that spoke to you when the world just couldn't relate? Well, that's Gang Starr. That's GURU. To the 30+ generation of the Hip Hop family tree, Gang Starr took our "jungle music" to sophisticated levels of intelligence, style and substance. Born during the era of Hammer, Kriss Kross and Father Mc (ugh), Guru & Premier created musical art in the truest sense of the word. While Premo tapped the heart of streets to produce innovative beats, snares, riffs and melodies, Guru's rhymes laced the listener with gritty, thought provoking science:

The S.A.T. is not geared for the lower class
so why waste time even trying to pass
The educational system presumes you to fail
the next place is the corner then after that jail
You've got to understand that this has all been conspired
to put a strain on our brains so that the strong grow tired
It even exists when you go to your church
cuz up on the wall a white Jesus lurks
They use your subconscious to control your will
they've done it for a while and developed the skill
to make you want to kill your own brother man
black against black you see it's part of their plan
They want to send us to war and they want to ban rap
what they really want to do is get rid of us blacks
Genocide is for real and I hope that you're hearing me
you must be aware to combat the conspiracy

I bought "Daily Operation" when I was 15 years old. I killed this tape...to the point where the track listings are completely rubbed off from each side and I had to put "A" and "B" stickers on. GURU was my first "favorite" MC. Years before Biggie Smalls, JayZ and Nas took the craft to another level. I appreciated the honesty, integrity, humour and thoughtfulness he put into his writing. Ah...writing. Such a lost art. The discipline...The Intelligence. Understanding when less is more. Here's less of me (lol) and more of GURU:

Rap is an art you can't own no loops
It's how you hook em up and the rhyme style troop
So don't even think you could say someone bit
off your weak beat come on you need to quit
I flip lines and kick rhymes that never sound like yours
There oughtta be laws against you yapping your jaws
Originality overflows from in me
and the truth is, that you wish you could live the
life I live and kick the lyrics I kick
But bear in mind that you can't think as quick
So Premier drops a beat, for me to say verses to
And if I sound doper then take it personal

Take it personal. Cause I sure did...

Rest in Peace to Keith Elam.
One of Hip Hops most prominent pioneers.

Why Jay-z's "Death of Autotune" will save Hip Hop...?!

This is anti autotune, death of the ringtone,
This ain't for iTunes, this ain't for sing alongs

The Wack MC has existed in hip hop for as long as I can remember. Think back kids; Rakim exposed him in '88...LL's mama said knock him out in 91...Snoop & Dre laced his Chronic in 93...Wu-Tang Clan swarmed his ass in 94...and Eminem poisoned him with shrooms in '98. But, just like a nasty yeast infection (ugh), an annoying ex (blocked number) or bad breath...he keeps coming back. But this time, He's got a friend: Autotune

Now, for the 106 & Park viewers, lets put things in perspective. To put it bluntly: Autotunes sucks. Its a chic with a receding hairline wearing a lace front wig...Its the dude with the the fly whip living in a basement apartment...Its 2 lazy eyes behind a pair of Luis Vuttion shades. Roger Troutmans magic box has been resurrected by a host of sub par entertainers thirsty for record sales in this download era.

I know we facing a recession
But the music y'all making going make it the great depression
All y'all lack aggression
Put your skirt back down, grow a set man

For the record, most of the repeat offenders reside in the R&B mansion across the street. However, many of our lyrical soldiers have been exposed sucking on that glass auto tune crack pipe. Lil Wayne, Fabolous, 50 Cent, Jim Jones and others have joined the likes of Jamie Fox, Rahiem and Ron Browz in the Autotune hall of shame..

My raps don't have melodies
This should make niggas wanna go and commit felonies
Get your chain tooken
I may do it myself, I'm so Brooklyn

Who else but the GOD Mc to bless us with a potent shot of truth serum. Jay pulls no punches as he dissects the body and performs the eulogy over the autotune casket.
Lets hope singers get back to singing...MC's get back to spittin...and Alvin and the chipmunks leave the studio...for good.

You niggas' jeans too tight
You colors too bright, your voice too light
I might wear black for a year straight
I might bring back Versace shades
This ain't for z100
Ye told me to kill y'all to keep it 1 hundred
This is for Hot 97
This shit's for Clue, for Khaled, for we the best in
Nigga this shit violent
Death of autotune, moment of silence

PS....Its raining like a bitch in Toronto...WTF?!?

Peace and Love,

Jay President.