Kick Start
And so it begins... I've been writing for so long, it's hard not to think about getting this rolling with a lil bit of an intro or something. So here's the deal: Basically, VIBE runs this. Say what you want, and save all your hate for us, or for me. Whatever. I can take it and it don't really matter. Cause at the end of the day, this space is all ours. There are pretenders, would-bes, wanna-bes, and basically just suckers and has-beens (and all of the above - I'll leave the hyperlinks out), but through it all, VIBE has stayed on the stands, in your homes, cupped in your hands, pasted on your walls, and now plastered all over your screens. It's just how we do. I know, sometimes I can't believe it either.
But lemme take a minute to back off all the bragging and boasting - I do it well, you should hear me liquored up. I did not do this. This thing here. This VIBE thing. I ain't even come close to doing it. Legends have walked through these halls--some I've met, some I've known, some that I've benefited from, hell, some I've beefed with, but all of them I've respected. And I happen to work for one of 'em now - what up, DSW?! (Yeah, call me a brown-noser, whatever, but I tip my hat when it's due, and it's due) Legends have built it, carved a space outta space and created a voice that America has to listen to because it's too costly to ignore. And as we continue to walk one foot in front of the other into whatever it is that lies ahead (and if you've been living in NY this winter, you can't help but feel like what lies ahead ain't a good thing), VIBE's position, it's prominence, it's undeniable importance to the social, political, cultural and corner discourse continues to grow. And that's a great thing. And for the record, it's one that has only minimal to actually do with me. It's more about all you folks out there, the artists, the label folks, the readers, the community, all of you/us who have taken this thing, this culture, this music, this system of beliefs, and buried it deep into our hearts and minds to the point that not having VIBE, not having rap, not having R&B, black pride, white liberal guilt, action, inaction, a chip on your shoulder, a buck against the system mentality every second that we seek to eat the cake off of it - cause being poor ain't ever fresh and only appears glamorous to those that have never tasted it - would mean that meaning itself would cease to exist... well, that's what VIBE is. And so the hat goes off to all that came before and all those that will come down the line.
But... more to the point. America is a hip hop nation (tho shortly I'ma be saying it's a salsa, merengue, reggaeton nation, but I'ma go ahead and claim all that melting pot -ish for all of us right now because without this rap thing those doors wouldn't have already been kicked down to the basement floorboards, ya heard?). And as such, what I'ma seek to deliver to you folks is how that nation, the entire thing, is there for all of us to enjoy and participate in, at the same time that we freak all the folks outside of these walls the f- out. Now granted, I don't have a single illusion about who I am and the opportunities that affords, both because in the circumstances of my birth and my current gig. At the same time, I'ma seek to deliver all the best of the things that this country has to offer you, me and the rest of us, well, mainly cause I like nice things. And if you ain't in the habit of enjoying the finer things in life, well, lemme say this, some addictions ain't such a bad thing.
Everyone still listening? I'm a long-winded motherfucker. Get used to it. Comes with the territory.
So now for the goods. Now, I know I ain't breaking anything all the cool folks ain't already seen, but that doesn't mean I'm not gonna shine a project that's working with some freshness. The good folks over at adidas, and I do mean good folks (what up, Ms. Wise?), are gearing up to drop their 2007 All-Star Vegas kick collections (technically, part of this year's It Takes 5ive campaign), limited runs of adidas built around the tastes and personalities of their five all star endorsers, T-Mac, K.G., C-Billups, Tim Duncan, and Gilbert "Hibachi" Arenas. You get all sorts of goodies here, the All Star on Court Pack, the Vegas Pack, the Superstar Lux Pack, the Vegas Urban Pack, and the East/West Shoes. Some of the highlights:
Billups Vegas Superstars
Billups Vegas Pack
Billups Vegas Urban
Duncan CC Stealth
Arenas Superstars
Arenas Vegas Pack
Garnett Superstars
Duncan Superstars
T-Mac Superstars
T-Mac Urban
Now get your tix ready for Vegas cause some of these runs are only going to be available at Sin City spots during February. As if you needed a reason to go to town.
Back to the Basics:
Go see Children of Men.
Read Cormac McCarthy.
Listen to "F*ck Being Famous"
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