Remembering the Good Ol' Days

I personally have been into "streetwear" since the late 80's. I started out with my Karl Kani, FUBU and Cross Colors (I couldn't afford Polo, Tommy or Nautica). Back then clothing companies were putting out such diverse products that I didn't know what to buy, everything was hot! Even Nike was putting out amazing product on a regular basis (don't get me started talking about the Penny Foamposites). Back then being original and innovative was how you earned your street cred, and here in NY that is very hard to do! Wearing a style that represented you and your personal taste was the only thing that mattered. There was no specific name or term for the way we dressed. Just being "fly" or "fresh" was what it was about!

Fast forward to today, and the term "streetwear" is everywhere, almost like a warning label! Everyone has heard of the term, but most people couldn't define it for you even if their very lives depended on it! Many of the companies that were pushing the envelope in terms of style and creativity in the late 80's-90's, have lost their way. It seems like everything looks the same now-a-days! These days when a trend becomes popular, everyone jumps on it, including many established companies sadly.

I miss the days when society, as a whole, encouraged forward thinking and individuality. When blogs and websites didn't leak product images and release dates months in advance. When seeing a certain sneaker or article of clothing gave you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside, and you knew instantly that you must buy it. I'm talking about the days long before "hype", "retros" or "resellers" were even part of our vocabulary. Man.... I wish I could go back! Do you remember those days?

The News Sucks!

The more I watch the news the more I realize that it SUCKS! Now let me clarify myself more maturely. I have noticed a steady decline in the quality of the stories that major new channels are reporting on. They basically are just reporting on "SCARE-stories" that make people want to pack their belongings and run for the hills. Ever wonder why we are now seeing so many anti-depressant drugs being advertised on TV? There is always some silly story on the news like: Why living in the city is KILLING you ? What foods may be DANGEROUS to your health (according to some foreign researcher) or Why driving is DEADLIER than ever?

Although there may be truth to these stories, who wants to hear this everyday? Why not report on people or organizations from our area, nation or even worldwide that are making a real difference. Don't tell me that Oprah has completely cornered the market on positive and motivational stories! News stations need to get back to reporting NEWS-WORTHY stories again. I challenge you to watch the news today, and tally the amount of negative stories to positive stories. You'll be surprised at the enormous disparity between the two.

THEY'RE HERE.... AGAIN!!

That's right our entire Spring/Summer line is here and fully stocked. Due to the overwhelming response to our "Pigeons Love NY" we had to reprint another run of these tees. Also, I want pictures of you guys in our tees so I can post them on the blog. Peace

WAR, What is it good for?

Edwin Starr came out with the song "WAR", that Jackie Chan completely butchered in Rush Hour, in the 70's in response to the Vietnam War. But their question still stands to this day: WAR, What is it good for? As of today the death toll in Iraq stands at 4, 380+ American soldiers! This number does not count the numerous innocent people that have been killed, the families that have been shattered, or the toll it has taken on our nation. We are all caught up in this 5 year mess. One of the biggest oxymorons I have ever heard is: The Fight for Peace. FIGHTING and PEACE are as opposite as CHEAP and GAS. When are people, in particular governments, going to realize that peace CAN NOT be attained with violence. I leave you with the question that Starr asked in the 70's: WAR, What is it good for? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

PROPAGANDA ADVISORY

Propaganda by definition is a set of the messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people.

We are literally bombarded with various forms of propaganda daily! Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage an emotional response rather than a rational response to the information presented. Don't believe me, watch the news and listen for the scare tactics they use. In this day and age we have to be in search of the TRUTH. That is way we say READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

The Revolution Won't Be Televised...

Gil Scott-Heron coined the phrase, but it is absolutely true. As a matter of fact, it is even truer today than it was back then! If you are not familiar with his spoken word lyrics here is a link www.gilscottheron.com/lyrevol.html . The revolution won't be televised... it will be blogged, streamed, podcasted, downloaded, YouTubed and e-mailed all over the world. Technology is bridging the gap between people and making the world smaller (not literally, but that is another story). If 10 to 20 cops decide to beat someone, while they're handcuffed, in the street you know that someone is going to record it on a cellphone or camera and upload it immediately... just ask the Philadelphia police department. The revolution won't be televised... the revolution will be live!

Micheal is THE MAN and you know it!!!

Michael Jackson is THE MAN and you know it! Even your mom and dad know it! Not the "Wacko Jacko" of recent years who holds babies over railings and looks like an alien from the X-Files, but the "King of Pop" from the 80's to about mid 90's. I'm talking about the Michael Jackson who made flocks of teenage girls pass out with a mere pelvic thrust or grab of the crouch. Don't even get me started on the Moonwalk, which I never could do! We all know about his mega-hits like Thriller, Bad, Billy Jean, and the list goes on and on..... but my personal favorite is Smooth Criminal hands down!

The movie "Moonwalker" really shot Smooth Criminal into legendary status for me. When I saw Michael do the "MOVE" (as me and my friends refer to it as), you know the one, when he seems to defy the laws of physics by leaning all the way forward.... let me tell you I must have rewound that move until the VHS tape nearly popped! More than 10+ years later and I'm still trying to figure out how he did that? We all need to stop and give people their props while they are still alive... so Michael if you read this YOU ARE STILL THE MAN!!!!