Sedgwick & Cedar

Recording artist and producer (and Virginia Beach native) Pharrell Williams is partnering with the City of Virginia Beach to build a resource center, in Williams Farm Park. The purpose of the center is to provide an environment conducive to learning and serve as a place to “inspire and educate”. The Center’s programs will seek to change the world of the underserved kids, one kid at a time, by giving them resources/tools to meet their unique potential. The vision of the center is to modernize the community center concept by empowering kids to learn through new technologies, arts and media. More info on the project here.

(via Hypebeast)

• Posted on: Apr 29, 2011

SUSO33 is an incredible artist, who has used series of faces to identify his work since the 90s. The “Traffickers Video Project” was completed in one summer night, and since summertime has short night hours, SUSO33 basically had about 3 hours to finish this project.

When asked about his work process, SUSO33 said in an interview that his work has “increased in size. At first, I did them with human proportions, in the divine proportion, using the body as the compass and the metric unit. Afterwards, I used the fumigator and high-pressure tools, as well as the Hardcore model, which is a high-pressure can that allows me to throw the paint from a distance. It’s a model that I’ve always used frequently.”

To read the rest of the interview and see the video project, click here. Enjoy!

(via 12ozProphet)

• Posted on: Apr 26, 2011

Another uplifting story comes from a video of Jeff Staple’s interview series 1-2-1 with Jose Parla, a brooklyn-based painter.  Parla in a unique artist, whose work was originally unaccepted by society. However, Parla kept following his passion, and has now showcased his work in major exhibitions in London, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris.  On his website, he explains how  ”these works are time capsules, mixed documents of memory and research; part performance, as I impersonate the characters that leave their marks on walls.” To see more of Jose Parla’s work, check out his website here. Enjoy!

(via Hypebeast)

• Posted on: Apr 19, 2011

A trailer into an upcoming film titled Teenage comes courtesy of Matt Wolf.

Based on the work of punk author Jon Savage, Teenage is a film about the historical rise and development of adolescents throughout culture. From the early 20th century and the ensuing groupings of Flappers and Swing Kids, to the involvement of teenagers in the Nazi campaign, Teenage explores the relationship of adults and youth. Throughout each generation, finding their role has always become a constant struggle amongst youth and the older population.

(via Hypebeast)

• Posted on: Apr 13, 2011

Vans presents us with another uplifting piece, exhibiting Stephen Murray  - three-time U.S. gold medalist and professional BMX rider. Murray became paralyzed from the neck down after a double backflip at the BMX Dirt Finals of the Dew Actions Sport Tour. However, instead of losing hope, Murray has used his situation to mold a new outlook on life and create a foundation called ‘Stay Strong.’ Check out the website here, and enjoy watching the video above.

(via Hypebeast)

• Posted on: Apr 12, 2011

The above video shows the NYC subway system, before the ‘clean train’ policy went into effect. The footage was shot with a 16mm film camera, showing graffiti subway cars and the excitement of Time Square station in 1986. This is a great portrayal of the height of burners! Enjoy.

(via Hypebeast)

• Posted on: Apr 11, 2011

“天地一斗  Translation: “The Combination of Heaven and Earth“ Jay Chou featuring Kobe Bryant

Never heard of Jay Chou?  Just happens to be the most influential artist in pop music China today.  Folks, we’re talking 1.4 billion people or 20% of the world’s population!

Called ‘the King of Pop’ in Asia, Jay Chou has created his own Chinese style of Hip Hop and combines Chinese rap with Western rap.  He composes songs about martial arts and brings the “world” of martial arts back to real life again with swordplay, boxing and b-boy style.

Wonder if DJ Kool Herc ever envisioned Hip Hop would take it this far…from house parties at Sedgwick & Cedar Ave’s in the Bronx to the streets of China?

• Posted on: Apr 6, 2011

It’s been 17 years, and endless speculation and rumors , but hip-hoppers can finally put all the baby talk to rest.  After the 14th anniversary of Biggie’s death, the NY Daily News finally revealed the answer to the mystery of who was that afro-rocking baby on the cover of Big’s classic Ready To Die.

(via Frank151)

• Posted on: Apr 5, 2011

Tony Alva, one of the original Z-Boys (Zephyr Competition Team), is a legend and pioneer in skateboarding. 4 years ago Alva hit rock bottom struggling with his drug and alcohol addictions – now, Vans presents Alva back and better than ever. Spending time to focus on himself and the world around him, Alva has dropped his prior bad habits to live a life of giving back. As Alva says in Vans’ Pass The Bucket, “having a purpose in life now, for me, is to do things for free and especially for kids that don’t have a lot.” Rock on Tony – we support you all the way!

(via Hypebeast)

• Posted on: Apr 4, 2011

RICE HIGH OF THE BRONX ABOUT TO TAKE COURT AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, JANUARY 11, 2007

That old adage…Ya just never know who you’re dealing with is so true.

It was January 2007 and our main-man LA Sunshine (above Sedgwick Varsity jacket) of the legendary Treacherous 3 hit us up.

He asked if we would help out a basketball team in the Bronx by donating Sedgwick & Cedar clothing “The Birthplace of Hip Hop”.

LA told us, these players come from humble backgrounds and it would help give these Bronx kids that NY pride.

Not a tough decision for our crew when you’re talkin’….LA Sunshine…..Hoops…..…Bronx Kids. Of course we said “Hell –Yeah”.

We shipped out the box of gear at the local UPS that night.

LA was so appreciative and thankful, he told us that his kids would send us a picture. We were like…that’s cool, no worries and kind of forgot all about it until he sent us the pictures.

We did not realize it on the phone but the team was national basketball power Rice High from the Boogie-Down Bronx (seen in lockeroom above) in The National Invitational Tourney at Madison Square Garden. They took this shot above as they were literally about to take the court at the basketball mecca….The Garden rockin’ S&C shirts & baseball hats in the lay-up line!

The kid directly behind LA Sunshine’s shoulder (in red) is now National College Player of the Year, Kemba Walker of UConn . Oh yeah, they beat Simeon High of Chicago that night who had a decent player named Derrick Rose. That’s right that kid is now D-Rose, NBA Player of The Year!

LA Sunshine still swears that Rice coming out on the floor in Sedgwick & Cedar Tees + Baseball Hats in lay-up line intimated the kids from Chi-town.

Rice won 57-55. We like to think those hat & tees were worth 2 points!

KEMBA WALKER OF BRONX’S RICE HIGH CHECKS D-ROSE OF CHICAGO’S SIMEON HIGH.

• Posted on: Apr 1, 2011