5.31.2013

Kicks Flow: New Balance M996ST Made in USA



Righteous..
The struggle is so real, folkers. And when the weather starts turning around and getting nicer, collectors everywhere have a few hard decisions to make. Those kicks that you’ve been hiding in the stash would really shine nicely, now that you can rock them in all their glory. I know, trust me. And this is where that conflict comes in. What’s the point of collecting, if we can’t rock the exclusives we’ve been keeping on ice forever? Some people just want to collect for the bread, but I’ve always wanted to actually rock my kicks, no matter how rare they were. 
So peep these new M996ST’s from New Balance. I can assure you, these will not be on ice very long. The Made in USA collection has produced some of the strongest New Balance sneakers in recent time and continues to impress with solid color combinations and premium materials on iconic silhouettes of the sportswear brand.
The new M996ST comes with a premium navy suede upper with tonal mesh underlays, steel blue and red accents, two piece N and branded tonal suede back tab. Look out for a release at select retailers, including Hanon, come July 2013.
Get yours..
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Dopeness: “August Smart Lock” by Yves Béhar/fuseproject and Jason Johnson







Conceived by Yves Béhar/fuseproject and Jason Johnson, August Smart Lock is a new and revolutionary device and app that will make an old-fashioned key to your house obsolete. Providing a seamless and enhanced experience for entering one’s home, August Smart Lock works on three main principles: simpler, safer and social.
The design incorporates already existing deadbolts, so there is no need to replace existing locks. Just attach the “August Smart Lock” device to your door and download the app that acts as our virtual key, and a website log-in that let’s you stay connected with your home while on the go.
A main goal while developing the system was to try and maintain the same experience of opening doors with a regular key. Even after installing the August Smart Lock, you are still able to lock and unlock your door the old-fashioned way. Due to encrypted security, your key can not be copied by other and keeps working under all conditions: cable, DSL, even if power is down in your home. Check out the video below, it's so cool. 
Swagatha Out.


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5.30.2013

Classic Music: Antlife's Top 25 Hip Hop Albums of All-Time #7 (Boogie Down Productions "Criminal Minded") (1987)



Learn..

This album, is one that we have to go pretty far back for, to get into how it’s been so influential to me. Before I really knew what Hip Hop was, I knew what struck me as “cool”. I knew all about Rock and R&B because that was what I was initially raised on. In the 80’s, people still thought that Hip Hop was some trend. They didn’t respect the culture for what it was, and that may have played some role in how limited my access was to it. My childhood consisted of me shuttling back and forth between Manhattan and the South Bronx in the 80’s. And I will never forget that the first time I heard “South Bronx” by BDP, I was actually in the South Bronx, in Mitchel Projects, hanging with the other kids I was pretty much with everyday there. I was so oblivious and young, an actual kid, I thought that someone from over there had made the record and passed out tapes to people to play around the way! The only rappers I knew at the time were Run DMC, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh and probably Curtis Blow or something. Hip Hop was something I had to discover on my own, and hearing these records being blasted from cars, while my friends and I ran up and down the street, was how I came to know who KRS-One and BDP were.

Hip Hop became my life years later when I was like 13 or so, but those early years really got me hooked on what would become a lifelong love of mine. Criminal Minded is an album that never got old to me. It takes me back to a time when emceeing was an art. When you had to have skills and a talent that just couldn’t be denied. KRS embodies what Hip Hop should be and sound like to me. He lives the culture, and paved a pathway that my friends and I would follow very closely, even down to being heavily involved in graf. He brought attention to the borough that not only created the art-form, but also went overlooked for so long, while having some of the most talented emcees of all-time living and creating there. Every track on this album is a classic to me. The production was bare, simply even, but knocked harder than some of the heavy metal records of that era. BDP didn’t compromise or take any shorts with this debut, and they killed careers of lesser emcees in the process. 

To sit and list which songs are favorites would be a serious waste of time, because I listen to the whole album as a complete body of work. It’s sad that Scott La Rock wasn’t able to live long enough to see the impact that this album and his work had on my generation and those that followed. But I think he’d be proud to see how much of an icon and great KRS has become over the years. I think anyone who was able to feel the impact of this album back then, would tell you that this was probably one of the first albums that made them fall in love with Hip Hop. It was definitely one of mine..

Respectington..

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Fly Season: Ray-Ban Summer 2013 Wayfarer Collection










Before we get the going-ons going, I’d like to announce that I was the lucky one of the crew, to get the coveted 800th post!! So I speak for everyone here at AA, when I say that we thank you so sincerely for coming by and supporting the site for the past couple of years, even when we were slacking. We will make sure to keep bringing you quality content, and we’ll get even doper as the weeks fly by.

Now back to business, Ray-Ban releases its iconic Wayfarer sunglasses in exciting new designs for Summer 2013. Overall the brand splits up the collection into the “Original Wayfarer Surf Up” and “Original Wayfarer Patchwork” offering, which sees the classic silhouette covered in flower and patchwork all-over patterns on in- and outside. The wooden design from the “Surf Up” range is certainly among the most interesting in the new Summer 2013 collection.

Spunk
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5.29.2013

Kicks Flow: New Balance Fall/Winter 2013 Made in England M576




Good Moola..
Handcrafted at the world famous Flimby Factory, New Balance unveils a new version of its iconic M576 silhouette for Fall/Winter 2013. Each model features a premium upper of suede nubuck with a grey nubuck collar and 3M Scotchlite backed ‘N’ and tonal sueded nubuck underlays, all of which are resting atop New Balance’s C-Cup midsole. 
Constructed of the finest materials sourced from Europe and the United States, the Fall/Winter 2013 M576 silhouette will be available for pre-order at hanon-shop.com from June 1st.
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Dopeness: Medicom Toy - BE@RBRICK Mug


                                      




There is no doubt MEDICOM TOY has plenty of surprises up their sleeves for the forthcoming MEDICOM TOY Exhibition 2013. Aside from their classic figures and toys, the Japanese company will be releasing other unique items for MEDICOM TOY fans. If you have collected all of the BE@RBRICK toys, then why not start a collection of related merchandise such as these BE@RBRICK Mugs. 

Produced in a new size, in roughly 100mm height, the porcelain mugs come in three MEDICOM TOY brand colors – red, yellow, and blue. All three versions will be sold at the upcoming event on Saturday, June 22.

Swagatha Out. 
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Fly Season: NW20 Exhibition @ BAPE GALLERY KYOTO



After making its debut at Shibuya’s Daikanyama T-SITE Garden Gallery TSUTAYA , which as an event, saw more than 1,500 visitors in just three days – NOWHERE / A Bathing Ape‘s 20th anniversary NW20 Exhibition is set to make its way to BAPE GALLERY KYOTO. Like the original display, the exhibition is set to once again feature the special edition collaborations created by the likes of NIGO, Pharrell, Kanye West, Futura, SK8THING, VERBAL, and more. 
BAPE‘s NW20 Exhibition is due to open at BAPE GALLERY KYOTO, located on the third floor of Kyoto’s BAPEXCLUSIVE storefront, come Saturday, June 8th.
Swagatha Out. 
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5.28.2013

Kicks Flow: adidas Introduces the 3.5 oz adizero F50 Boot



Without being totally biased, adidas pretty much rules soccer (Ha). So with them dropping the impossibly light, next-generation adizero F50 boot, they unveiled at the UEFA Champions Festival as a prototype weighing just 99 grams (3.5 oz.) The first football boot to dip below 100 grams, the new F50 also outweighs its predecessor by a staggering 2.3 oz. and the current lightweight standard bearer, the adidas adizero Prime, by 1.6 oz. The secret, according to the German sportswear giant, lies in a new material consisting of a single layer of woven polyester mesh and polyurethane that allows for uppers that are feathery light, yet protective. 

The outsole, meanwhile, replaces adidas’ SPRINTFRAME with polyamide, providing a sufficiently stiff but extremely thin base. As with most of the brand’s cutting-edge designs, miCoach will also be featured in the boots, letting players track both speed and acceleration on the pitch. Don’t hold your breath, however, while the new adizero F50 is seen on Bayern Münchens player David Alaba in this video, the boots aren’t expected to drop until 2015. 

Spunk

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Dopeness: Nike Golf - VR Forged Wedges









Arguably the most the crucial components of a golfer’s repertoire, the short game gets a boost courtesy of Nike Golf‘s new VR Forged Wedges. The wedges are crafted from soft 1025 carbon steel and finished in premium satin chrome, featuring three distinct sole grinds to ensure an ideal set-up from a variety of surfaces. The Standard Grind has the most versatile profile for all conditions, developed with feedback from Tiger Woods and ensuring the correct address position without the need to open the face. The Dual Narrow Grind has a narrow sole width with higher bounce and extreme heel relief, built for golfers like Nike athlete Paul Casey, who prefers more shots with fewer wedges. 

The Dual Wide Grind was created with the help of Nike athlete Francesco Molinari, representing an excellent second or third wedge option with a wider sole and low bounce. The VR Forged Wedge features Nike’s high-frequency X3X grooves, featuring a precision laser crosshatch pattern applied to the areas in between the grooves. The upshot:  three times the surface texture versus conventionally finished faces, creating more spin in all conditions. The VR Forged Wedge family is available now at select Nike Golf retailers.

Spunk
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Top Shelf: BMW Concept Ninety



Illy..
The BMW Concept Ninety is a modern reiteration of the traditional essence of the motorcycle: the harmonious unison of man and machine – pure and emotional. The BMW Concept Ninety takes to the stage as a sporty boxer with a battery of sophisticated details. Its basic proportions clearly take their cue from the forebear that inspired this concept: the fairing, tank, seat and tail instantly signal its family bond with the BMW R 90 S. 
The upper ergonomic and aerodynamic bodywork is visually separated from the black engine and chassis. The bodywork is hand crafted from aluminum. The rich orange shade of the BMW Concept Ninety is also a nod to the legendary Daytona Orange paintwork of the BMW R 90 S.
Respectington..
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Architecture: House on Krk Island, Croatia by DVA Architects










Righteous..

DVA Architects were commissioned to design and build this family home in Krk Island, Croatia. The architects have taken great consideration to it’s location and environment, building a white cubist structure which works well at deflecting the suns heat whilst providing ample outdoor space, including an upstairs and downstairs terrace and a pool lounge area, with beautiful views of the sea and surrounding landscape. 
The interior has been kept contemporary and open, allowing the views to continue through the length of the home. We really dig this one, hope you enjoyed too..
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5.27.2013

Top Shelf: BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé






Collaborations have become the cornerstone for businesses over the past couple of years. Brands have realized that teaming up with other reputable counterparts can not only bring in new interest, but it also revives their status and generates fresh and exciting buzz.
Two of the most respected names in the automotive industry have teamed up in 2013 to create something outstanding. After recently teasing the much-anticipated project by BMW and Pininfarina, we can finally show you the result of this unique collaboration. 
Officially unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013, BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso is unfortunately a one-off and represents the exclusive interpretation of a luxurious BMW Coupé as seen through the eyes of Pininfarina. Powered by a V12 engine, the coupe is supposed to follow up on the popular 8-Series BMW, that went out of production in 1999.
FC
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Random News: NIGO Announces His Definitive Departure from BAPE



Breakin’..
I remember back in like ’04-’05, being in Soho in NY, and havin’ a ridiculous time try’na find certain BAPE tees that were limited edition. All the connections in the world didn’t mean a thing. The dudes who wanted to be your connect, would sell whatever they were holding for you, if someone else popped up before you did, with extra bread on them. It was a wild time to cop BAPE. Everyone with a little money to burn was going crazy for the stuff. That would only make the chase that much more fulfilling! Good times, indeed. Now for the sad news..
NIGO, the founder of Japanese streetwear brand A Bathing Ape aka BAPE, announces his departure from the brand. In February 2011 news came out that NIGO had sold 90% of the Bape brand to Hong Kong’s I.T. After almost 20 successful years in the business, NIGO said at the time that the business side of BAPE had not been taken care of properly and therefore resulted in some financial difficulties and eventually in the sale.
After the sale NIGO still had a contract with BAPE for design, marketing, and creative direction and that contract is now concluded. After building the brand for 20 years (1993-2013), the founder is now out and it definitely marks the end of an era. NIGO goes on saying that he will be working as a freelance creator in many different fields going forward.
Respectington..
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Kicks Flow: The New Balance Numbering System Explained






Glorious..
As much as we love and showcase New Balance here on AA, it was so dope to be hit off with the info on what exactly their number system means, and why it even exists. This is not something any of us has ever known a thing about, we just cop the kicks (Ha!). So it was cool to finally get an explanation on it. It’s always interesting to get backstories on things you have so much appreciation for. So peace to the good people over at NB on finally schooling us on this. 
From the start, New Balance have maintained an ethos that every one of their pairs are individual, and so assigned each model with a different number of its own. This provided an easy way to distinguish the variance across all styles, and now we have been provided a breakdown to fully understand that unique – and personal – coding system.
The typical model produced by New Balance is branded with a 6-7 digit code, M1500BWG for example, and refers to three separate qualities. The first one or two letters signifies the gender and trainer type; in this case ‘M’ stands for Men’s and ‘W’ for Women’s. This can differ and instead included alterations such as ‘MR’ – Men’s Running, ‘MT’ – Men’s Trail, or ‘U’ – Unisex. There is also ‘CM’ or ‘CW’, which states that the model has been custom made for an exclusive collaboration, and we advise that if you see this, you be fast in getting a pair.
Secondly is the model number, the easiest part of the system that helps you single out what style you’re after. In this case, the ‘15’ refers to the level of performance (higher numbers equate to superior technology and quality, as well as a higher price tag) and the ‘00’ references to the performance series – also representing that these have been designed for athletes who want maximum performance, due to the higher number.
Finally is the last 2-3 letters which refers to the colourway, and means that ‘BWG’ would stand for Blue/White/Grey. On very select cases it will reference ‘ST’ or ‘MC’ for example, and designates that it is either a stability shoe or motion control shoe. Considered yourself schooled. Yup!
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5.24.2013

Models & Freshness: 40s and Shorties 2013 Spring/Summer Lookbook









The ‘weed leaf’ sock game may be slightly saturated, but new brand 40s and Shorties carves out its own unique niche with a range of feet covers for the new season. Here we find the brand presenting a lookbook for Spring/Summer 2013, chock full of substantive allusions to all of our favorite pastimes. 
Double cups of Sprite concoctions, stuffed blunts, and of course 40oz bottles are all aptly represented across this line of premium socks – just in time for warm weather. If such statements are up your alley, head over to 40s and Shorties’ web shop to check out the brand’s offerings.
Spunk
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