Remembering Jam Master Jay (RUN DMC)

I'll never forget the the time RUN DMC visited the US Virgin Islands. It was 1985, and Hip Hop, besides sports, was my focus.
I was enamored by the music that was pouring out of New York City, flowing as consistently as Niagra Falls.
RUN DMC has always been the group that epitomized the culture, the lifestyle and they set the fashion bar for many.
While Run and DMC did their thing on the microphone, my eyes were always glued on the disc jockey- Jam Master Jay (real name: Jason Mizell).
You see, Jam Master Jay had a way with working the "wheels of steel", the soon-to-be defunct Technics 1200s.
His scratches and cuts were always on cue, and even when one of them seemed out of synch, upon listening to the song a second time, it was then that I realized what Jay was intending.
To this day, I own a number of RUN DMC's albums, a few cassette tapes and the more common CDs and MP3s.
Today marks the 8-year anniversary of Jam Master Jay's (JMJ) murder.
I can remember it like it was yesterday when I heard the news: I was driving on the Long Island Expressway while listening to New York station, 97.1 FM.
To hear the news that the "silent one", as I had dubbed Jay, was killed in his recording studio in Queens was so disheartening that I had to pull over on the L.I.E. As Funk Master Flex reported the sad news........I cried.
I recall hearing, for the first time, songs "Sucker MCs", "Tougher Than Leather", "Rock Box" and "Walk This Way", and I always smiling, but it was "My Adidas" that spoke to my sole (pun intended).
I have always liked sneakers, and when Run DMC rapped about their love of the shell-toed sneakers, I immediately identified with the song.
When Run DMC rocked Madison Square Garden and told everyone to take off one of their Adidas sneakers and, "Hold them in the air!", I did and so did almost 15,000 other kids.
Little did I know the significance of that moment in sneaker history and how it would serve me in the future and today.
So, today I plan to listen to "Run DMCs Greatest Hits" and remember Jason Mizell a.k.a. Jam Master Jay and give thanks for the memories and him being a Hip Hop pioneer, and someone who motivated me to hear, listen and feel the music.
Walk GOOD JMJ, you're missed but not forgotten.

Remembering Jam Master Jay (RUN DMC)

Statik Selektah & Termanology: 100 Proof Hip Hop Sole

Here's an interview with Statik Selektah and Termanology as they talk about Statik's new album, "100 Proof: The Hangover", the sneakers that they like and some 100 Proof Nike Air Force 1 lows that will be released very soon.



If you haven't bought the new Statik Selektah album, I highly recommend that you do. It's a banger! Also, follow Statik on Twitter HERE.

Statik Selektah & Termanology: 100 Proof Hip Hop Sole

Bun B: Boston 100 Proof (Statik Selektah Concert)

Here's just a glimpse of all the goodness that took place in Boston as Bun B performed for the first time in Boston.

Bun B: Boston 100 Proof (Statik Selektah Concert)

Statik Selektah: 100 Proof

With a meteoric rise and an album about to be released tomorrow, Statik Selektah, has been busy producing music that moves the crowd and has folks realizing that true Hip Hop is not dead.

Hip Hop was alive and well in Boston this past weekend as Statik Selektah held a listening party for this third album, "100 Proof The Hangover", which has already been building a buzz on the mixtape and DJ circuits, along with spins on Sirius/ XM radio, at Concepts in Cambridge.

Statik, who hails from Massachusetts, pulled out all the stops and made sure the event was laid back, but purposeful, too. The key being to hear "100 Proof" in all its headbanger, street-spitter glory. (In my humble opinion, this album is a MUST buy!)

Not one to hog the spotlight, Statik made sure his homies were in the building, too, to bask in the spotlight--Reks, Termanology, J.F.K., Joe Scudda, and Kali to name a few. And, when Statik decided to dig deep in the crates, he called upon the larger-than-life underground king, Bun B, of UGK.


Check out a few of the pictures, and be sure to buy your copy of 100 Proof The Hangover tomorrow on iTunes, Emusic, Rhapsody or Amazon.

Walk GOOD!

Reks on the Mic

J.F.K. reppin' for Beantown

Joe Scudda reppin' NC

Frank of Concepts & Bun B talkin' kicks. No surprises here!

Termanology's got 5 on it!

Kali reppin' Cali to the fullest!

Statik Selektah: 100 Proof

OSD Talk Show #69: MC Shan

If you missed Episode 69 of the OSD talk show then you missed a show for the ages with Hip Hop legend and Queensbridge's finest, MC Shan!

MC Shan gave listeners and callers alike the low-down on his PUMA sneakers, poppin' windshields back in the day and the type of fashion that he's feeling.

Trust us, you're going to want to listen to this episode and hear the MC Shan freestyle!

As always, Walk GOOD!

OSD Talk Show #69: MC Shan

OSD Guest: MC Shan!

OSD-Obsessive Sneaker Disorder is pleased to announce that tomorrow's guest is none other than legendary Juice Crew All-Star MC Shan !!

MC Shan will share his experience working on his iconic Puma Clyde, as well as his take on the role sneakers and fly gear, in general, have played in the development of styles around the world.

Join us live tomorrow night, Wednesday, at 9:30 pm EST/ 8:30 pm CST/6:30 pm PST. Register and log on at www.ObsessiveSneakerDisorder.com.

You know it's going to be another OSD hit!!

*Hat tip to Kadoma from The H-Town Sneaker Summit for the picture.*

OSD Guest: MC Shan!

Brooklyn's Finest: More than meets the eye

NHTVSN Episode 2 Part 2.1 from NHTVSN on Vimeo.

A Sole Brother through and through, but he's more than just sneakers and records! Say Word!

Brooklyn's Finest: More than meets the eye

Well lookey here: Fat Joe and Luxe-T

Having just celebrated his 38th Birthday yesterday, it appears that Mr. Cartagena has inked a deal to be the spokesman for Luxe-T, the sportswear company based in VA.









Joe is well known for being "serious about his kicks" and he's been seen, on more than one occasion, wearing sneaker-themed Luxe-T t-shirts.

Well lookey here: Fat Joe and Luxe-T

Thirstin Howl 3rd @ DunkxChange Boston

Thirstin Howl 3rd: The Polo Rican at DunkxChange Boston from Dee Wells on Vimeo.

Thirstin Howl 3rd @ DunkxChange Boston

Happy Birthday Hip Hop!

Well, it’s official! The music that was referred to as “noise” by so many people is officially 34-years old today. Yes, 34-years old! It may be hard to believe that what started as party in a room at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453, would last this long and have people all over the world vibing to break-beats that make their heads split.

Tip your hat to the Godfather of Hip Hop- DJ Kool Herc- and his sister Cindy Campbell for deciding to throw a back-to-school party. As the popularity of these parties grew, word is that the throw down had to be moved outside to Cedar Park, which attracted thousands of people.

At the intersection of Sedgwick Avenue and Cedar Park people gathered, many who would grow to become some of the most creative personalities in the world of music. MCing, breakdancing, B-boying, party shout outs, battles and taggin’ (graffiti writing) were all birthed at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue.

The Bronx a.k.a. The Boogie Down has been the breeding ground for many men and women who would give us a glimpse into their soul, not by writing poetry like Langston Hughes or Miguel Algarin, but through rapping and telling grandiose stories.

Starting with Coke La Rock, the first emcee to kick a verse on the microphone to the first recorded rap song “King Tim III (Personality Jock)” to “Rapper’s Delight” being the first rap hit, Hip Hop got started by those that were able to dream BIG and do what others thought couldn’t be done. Wow, they certainly proved the masses wrong!

So, as I celebrate the birth of Hip Hop on this Saturday, August 11, 2007, I sit back and listen to man that started it all……Mr. James Brown (RIP)!

Additional Gems:

King Tim III
Kurtis Blow- The Breaks
Sugarhill Gang- Rapper's Delight
Afrika Bambaataa- Planet Rock

Happy Birthday Hip Hop!

Hip Violin

Hip Hop Lives!!

Hip Violin

It's in the Words

The words you speak are very powerful and once they leave your lips they can not be taken back. That's why I try (try very hard) to not say bad shit about anyone or anything. The reason is that I'm not powerful enough to judge anyone, especially someone that breathes the same air as me. For me, I believe in God and know that their is one Creator and give praise when I open my eyes and I'm able to see the family. It's the little things in life that bring me so much joy and as I get older I realize even more and more that it truly is the little things.

Lately, people have been spittin' some serious venom about your boy SP. It's ALL Good because I know the truth. I have learned to forgive the haters because I know that when I close my eyes for the last time...my conscience will be clean.

Now, when I was thinking about the words that we use to describe sneakers, I began to think about the thousands of words and the connection to music, fashion and, of course, hip hop. This is just a sampling of what popped in my head:

I remember when attractive women were "fly" and great records were "da joint". Everything that involved sneakers and fitted baseball caps was "fresh". When something was better than "fresh" it was "stoopid" and even "stoopid fresh" or "def" when it wasn't "dope". When you wanted someone to believe what you were saying, "on the strength" showed your committment, though "word is bond" and, ultimately, "word" would work when you wanted to be succint. "Word" is a powerful affirmation when you were "droppin' science" or when you were "in effect" and "large". Fly women and a "dope" record always "got me open". I can go on for days but I'll stop now while I'm ahead.

So, be aware of the words that you speak and the words that you think. Positive vibes flow from OSD to you. Keepin' it Real since '05. PeACE!

It's in the Words