The Magma

These pics are from the New ACG Magma Ripstop drop at 1948 yesterday. These spindly web of ropes holding the sneakers have temporarily replaced the NikeiD booth, as they display Nike's newest array of All Condition Gear kicks. Durable and as comfortable as pink furry slippers, the Magma is a great addition to the winter wardrobe.

The troubles with the BNP

Regarding the release of the British National Party’s members list, I don't know quite what to make of it all. I've never really condoned this sort of indiscriminant intrusion into people’s privacy that the net oft incurs. However here I am severed and split – the BNP have never, let’s contentedly say, been my favourite political party (if I could say I had one). It stands for the archaic principles and philosophies that find sanctuary amongst only the closest minded members of society and, much like the NF before it, controversially, yet comfortably, convenes alongside hateful and racist values. That being the case, this list, detailing the names, phone numbers and addresses of BNP supporters, pushes the absolute limit of what I find acceptable – it isn’t really fair; is it? The list could be fabrication, for all that we know. It would be the darkest of shames should these people be victimised, slandered and branded racists for a crime they didn’t commit, and, even if they are BNP supporters, you can’t, and shouldn’t, be attacked for your political allegiance. Please do correct me if I’m wrong.

As I don’t condone this intrusion I won’t post the link, but I’m sure a quick google will lead you to it, if you so wish. Stole the image like a thief in the nasty night from here (no I wasn't wearing a hood Mr Sunday Express!)...

The Royal Festival Hall

Having had lunch with my maverick mentor Yemisi Blake, he decided to show me around his place of work - the illustrious Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank, and it's impressive, if slightly daunting, auditorium. The centre has stood since post war Britain and has been home to an art based culture from the giddy get go. Originally created to host the Festival of Britain in an audacious attempt by the then government to restore the nations jollity after the damage of the war, the space has since been put to prominent use as, what is now, a world famous arts and culture venue. The Royal Festival Hall also plays host to a number of stages, a bar, a shop and comfortable seating areas, useful as it is all WiFi accessible and, as the hall is public space, is all absolutely accessible to everyone and anyone. Filled with arty types chatting constructive culture and business folk hosting meetings on the plush settees, it is a great place to relax, work and generally be productive, and best of all they don’t turn there noses up at you, or indeed turn you away, because you’re a kid (always a bonus in these big ol’, shiny, important looking buildings). Get down there one afternoon, it’s well nice.

I got thinking...

It’s been a seriously strange last couple of weeks in my world - amongst all the ups, the downs, the departures, the dramas and the overall lack of sleep, I do believe I have matured a wee tad. It’s generally difficult being eighteen – currently caught between the stroppy, selfish adolescent and a mature, responsible adult - without learning slowly and painfully, haphazardly even, the art of growing up. With such great people around me, and with such brilliant opportunities presented before me, I have found it personally unnerving that I could consider, even subconsciously, straying from the striking, shiny highway that potentially lies ahead. But this, I am told, is part of growing up. This, I am also promised, is common amongst kids – ‘Where will I go?’ ‘What will I do?’ ‘How can I achieve my goals?’ ‘Will I succeed?’ – are all questions I have fretted over at some point but crucially, and fortunately, all questions which I have received the semblance of an answer. So, if this self-doubting, self-questioning, quixotic air commonly surrounds kid’s futures, as I know it does, who guides those whom begin to drift – the kids that need it the most. It’s not difficult to lose your way, I know this to be true - we have all, at some point, strayed from the privileged path that keeps us on the broad, long, straight and narrow, but this is part of the learning process. It’s just growing up (or so I am told). Yet it worries me that a lot of kids feel they cannot, and therefore will not, entrust their concerns with adult figures. Generally it is these figures that know what is best, offer the soundest, most reliable advice, and are generally teh most helpful. Sometimes these mentors are all it takes to ensure that the right decisions are taken, and that the wrong ones are avoided, even if it’s just a few words from a respected someone in a rare, spare moment.

Just something that I got thinking about...

(A very pensive) Whathehelle?

Again with thanks to the illusive Mr LayLow for the image...

Trading Places V

An excellent eve all round: Great atmosphere, great sets, great vibe and some great looking people. Filled with an enigmatic and eclectic crowd, the effervescent atmosphere was evidently infectious as the DJs, all of whom were excellent it must be added, carried the vivid vibe though out the night with a combination of great tunes, hard beats and raucous mixing. Be sure to be there for next month’s rendition to rave it up alongside some of London’s very finest.

Big props to the lovely Gel and Mr LayLow for the pics!

Currency Clothing

You may have seen me wearing a fair few of the t-shirts around and about of late, but I have long been a huge fan of the big, bold and brazen brand that is Currency Clothing. With witty one-liners combined with trite, yet tasteful, typography, Currency merges an in-your-face factor with colloquial, cultural vernacular that shows that the true home of the brand is amongst the streets and straps of the suburbs and cities (if you are looking for a brand that talks to kids you've found it). The message that the brand portrays, somewhat controversially, denotes a very clear image of raw, urban street life; a provocative connotation that has seemingly made it all the more pertinately popular amongst the targeted urban streetwear market.

Though Currency has been around for a fair few years it has only been revealed relatively recently to the large majority and is now being sold in stores such as Hideout, Supra and Global Sports. Brought to us by the creative talents of Brian Gathii, the man behind super brand To-orist, and Lionel Agunyego, the chief designer, the brand is fast expanding as demand on the streets is ever increasing. Keep a look out in your local neighbourhood; you’re sure to see speech bubbles popping up all over the place.

Get in touch if you are interested in purchasing any Currency Clothing...

Nike meets the mob...

This was the launch of the Nike x Married to the Mob trainers and matching t shirt held at Nike's warehouse 1948 in Shoreditch. Packed full of interesting individuals, the complimentary candyfloss, the powdered pink bonbons and the professional nail varnishing went down a terrific treat. And look at the pretty sneakers, aint they marvellous!

Wise words and sceptical cynicism...

I've spent the last two hours pondering passionate politics with a varied intellectual, insightful bunch of individuals. The US election has created a political storm that has swept both sides of the Atlantic, powered by the prospect of progress, change and a black man seated in, what has always been, a very white House. It was my good friend Niyi Crown that highlighted the issues with the hype surrounding Obama and, though I had been inclined to challenge his point, it makes severe sense. Obama is very popular amongst the young - he has created a campaign that has genuinely got kids excited and is generally perceived to ‘get’ the youth - however, this genuine hype has become overshadowed somewhat. Niyi highlighted the point that too many young black people support Obama for the sole reason that he is black himself. Niyi even went as far as to berate me somewhat for liking Obama for, what he perceived to be, the ‘wrong reasons’. Another friend of mine, Andrea, has long been ‘wondering why EVERY black person on (her) Facebook is voting for Obama?!... Have people even done their research?!’ Andrea, needless to say, is both black and an avid McCain supporter. She also has extremely strong elements of truth in her words. When I joked that I would be voting McCain, my friend Shakira wondered if I would be ‘scared of the abuse I would get from every black and young person on facebook’... Proving Andrea’s point somewhat.

I myself have not researched the policies, particular politics, or philosophies of Obama, yet I, alike many others, have been swept up in the monsoon of his groundbreaking arrival on the international scene. So, I had to ask myself, why isit that I am such an ardent advocate of Obama? As I explained to Niyi, it is the innovation of the man that has captured my enigmatic imagination, and the colour factor is very much a cog in the well-oiled machine that is Brand Obama. Obama, being a black man, is majestic modernization in motion.

Two years ago, could we have ever imagined a black man running for presidency, let alone actually winning it (as early indications shows that he will)? It was Tupac Shakur that uttered the infamous words ‘And although it seems heaven sent, We ain't ready, to see a black President’. Though we may have a black President come tomorrow morn, are we indeed ready for one? Even if Obama is voted in to the White House early tomorrow morning, this does not prove that we as a race are prepared to have a non-white man leading the most powerful nation on Earth (though I flippin’ hope we are). Only tumultuous, turbulant time will tell...

With thanks to Tupac, Niyi, Andrea and Shakira for their input. Image stolen from here.

Happy Birthday NikeiD

I had a whole heap of fun at an event that confidently seeped of cool, colour and creativity. Held at a 'scenic' spot on Commercial Road, an amiable atmosphere and some great music, courtesy of some live DJ sets by the Nike team, set the night in magnificent motion. Big props to the NikeiD team (minus the constantly discourteous, cutting and caustic Kash) for throwing this lavish night of fun, fashion and flippant foolery.

With thanks to Mr Jarrett-Hunter for providing some of these images.

Thinking Different

The terrifically talented T.Magic has done it once again with his newest release – a glow in the dark edition of the original Think Different t-shirt. The aluminous print is a refreshing, seemingly emerging, trend that I have seen on a number of occasions at recent events. Watch out for more of this garish green glowing through the gritty gloom.

Props to T.Magic for the image...