Footloose Friday: Nike x 2

Two super-hot new sneaks from the house of Nike as the Portland based company releases the Air-Trainer 1 and the Lunar Force 1 High PRM.

First up, the Air-Trainer 1 is a pretty cool initiative that pairs marketing and design students with Nike's own in-house team to create and market a trainer. This one, the Cruz II Victory was aided and abetted by the New York Giant's Victor Cruz, alongside Nike's own designers and marketers and those ambitious students. Featuring premium black leather and translucent outsole, we particularly love the velcro strap that is placed towards the front of the shoe, the super bright colouring on the heel and the super cool fabric detailing of the tick, toe and inner tongue.

Out on limited release from Nike from 7 September.

For the equally adventurous among us, the Air Trainer arrives with a touch of bright blue and a whole lot of gamma as its colourway. There's leather to be found here, but also nubuck on the base, reflective leopard print on the heel and snake-inspired patterns on the tick and ankle tab, while the bottom get a blue sprinkle. Love the details of this shoe, it will definitely add a whole lot of swank to an outfit.

The Lunar Force-1 will also be available only as limited edition from October, so be prepared to queue to cop yours.

J2K: Fresh

Looks like it's Roll Deep day today!

Fresh on Skepta's BBK heels comes Mr. Crep Fresh, J2K with this laidback new single taken from his forthcoming and quite brilliantly named EP, LL Cool J.

The EP drops on 15 September via iTunes.

Skepta: Greenhouse

Produced by Skepta (what a eerie stuttery beat it is too), the video also features Wiley, JME, Riko, Jammer, Shorty, Scratchy, Solo, P Money and Frisco (sorry if we've missed anyone!).

What we like most about this is the back and forth between the MC's rather than straight bar, bar, bar. It works a treat.

Jay-Z & JT: Holy Grail

In this ode to the trials and tribulations of fame (see: Kurt Cobain, MC Hammer, Tyson), Hov and JT roam around a deserted warehouse and ruminate on the paps, the paper and the possibility of failure.

The song also has an edit; Justin's intro now drops after Hov's first verse, while there's also plenty of slowed down/ chopped/ switched up effects in effect.

There's also a lot of people wearing sheets pretending to be ghosts. We're not sure why. Probably cos it's art. Or something.

Miguel: Pink Cover

Love this cover by the brills Miguel. He gives Like A Pill a whole new vybz.

Kendrick Talks Control

After dropping a rather large stink bomb under the bottoms of many Hip Hop Rappers and then saying absolutely nothing since, K-Dot finally called into Hot 97 to talk about the inspiration behind the verse and reactions to it.

Lady Leshurr: G-Shock Mixtape Launch

To help celebrate the release of a brand new EP, the brilliantly titled Mona Leshurr, G-Shock and Kabuuki Dust will be holding a launch party this Sunday for Birmingham rapper Lady Leshurr, between 2pm and 5pm.

This event is just for Under 18's, and for those that can't get in to the shop to help celebrate with Leshurr, you're welcome to chill outside!

Danny Brown: ODB

Given his style lends much to Dirty, this new single from Danny Brown is very appropriately titled.

What the song is actually about, is anyone's guess. Similarly, the accompanying production and video is, well, confusing/ disturbing.

Galpin Fords $1m Car

If you have a spare millie and fancy spending it all on a car, then Ford have the very thing for you.

Re-envisioning the two-seater GT, the GTR1 has a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that manages some 1.024 horsepower, 0 to 60 in three seconds and a top speed of 225MPH. Racy.

Just 24 of these beauties will be available to buy, so get your name on the list now.

G-Shock: G-Sessions

Tonight, after a month long celebration, is the last night to celebrate G-Shock's 30th birthday.

Taking place on Dray Walk with performances from Echo Lake and DJ's Jack Le Roc and Femi AND free pizza's and beer (YUM), it's not too late to win a spot on the guestlist. Just follow the instructions on the flier below.

RWD Round Up: Disturbing London

RWD mag sits down with Disturbing London -Tinie Tempah, Dumi Oburota, Sasha Keable and DJ Charlsey - to find out how they all met, annoying habits and dodgy flights.

Angel Haze: Echelon (It's My Way)

Here's the first single from the inimitable Angel Haze and her Dirty Gold album, as premiered on Zane Lowe last night.

This track is produced by Markus Dravs, a man who has worked with Arcade Fire and Coldplay. I recently met Angel Haze and had a chat. Here's what we talked about.

How have you found the last few months of critical acclaim, magazine spreads, awards and so on?

It’s been great. I’m humbled by it. I feel like I don’t necessarily see myself in the same way that other people see me. I’m still at 10 but I need to be pushing towards 20 and from there head to a 100. I’m just working my ass off.

Who are you working with on your debut album, Dirty Gold?

I’m working with Mele, Amir Amor, Mike Dean. Mike f*cking Dean! I even have friends of mine, like legitimate friends, produce for the album. We’re just taking it one step at a time. We’ve recorded so much sh*t though. We need to stop recording and just say ‘Here, have it’. I have to make everything really, really perfect. I’m nervous.

Not to be cocky or anything but I’ve slaved my ass off  and I’ve learnt so much about myself. 

You've been working with Sia too, right?

She’s my knight in shining armour. Sia is amazing because she’s more like a mentor to me. She tells me when something sucks and when something doesn’t. I’ve been working with Markus Dravs too of course. The album though? Sonically it’s so different from anything I’ve ever done. Lyrically, it’s so different from anything I’ve ever done. If you’re looking for confessional, it’s there, if you’re looking for something to dance to, it’s there. It’s like a 5-star hotel. It’s pretty cool. Not to be cocky or anything but I’ve slaved my ass off  and I’ve learnt so much about myself. I’ve learnt how to diversify myself. It’s not always about rapping really hard and being brash and confessional, sometimes honesty can make you cringe. But delicacy conjoined with honesty is something that’s bearable. That way you can sit back and think about and say ‘Wow, this is really touching’. So it was a lot to learn. I’ve had Markus and Sia and my managers and my label standing behind me and saying ‘Be who you are, but be the best version of yourself'. So if that means letting go of whatever the f*ck you’re used to and trying new things, do it. So that’s what I’ve been doing (laughs).

Do you look back and cringe at some of your old stuff?

I do! God, so much. Especially listening to my new stuff, I f*cking hate Reservation. I hate it. Like ‘You suck'! You think you’re so good when you’re back wherever, but in hindsight, you’re like ‘You suck’. Right now, I feel like I’m doing something good but then I do something new and with hindsight… it’s always that way. Especially as an artist, I’m never satisfied. Those things were good for what I was at the time and every single time I’m looking to evolve more.

I hate my old stuff. Like ‘You suck'! I’m never satisfied. Every single time I’m looking to evolve more.

What are your thoughts on Hip Hop right now?

I think it’s all really up in arms. It’s all thrown up in the air and when it lands it might be something different when everyone figures out what they want to do and what they want to say and who they want to be and how they want to convey themselves, then it might be something different. Kendrick Lamar was an excellent example. A year ago no one would have thought he would be anything. It was like ‘Oh he sucks, he’s just rapping all this positive shit’ and then his album drops and he goes platinum in two weeks. Amazing. Commend him because his album has substance. I listened to it straight through and the story, everything, is so impeccably done on that album, it’s amazing. It feels like concepts are a lost art in hip hop. He had a vision and it was executed brilliantly

And where do you fit into that?

My album is epic (laughs). Just kidding! I just want to be wholly me. For me, it’s important to represent the people who don’t have a voice. Like, Kendrick Lamar represents for people who are like him, people who come from Compton or the ghetto or the places that people say ‘You’ll never be anything, you little black boy’. A$AP Rocky, that’s homeless shelters and guys who are obsessed with fashion but who never had enough money to buy it, he comes up, he represents them. That’s his sector. Mine are voiceless kids who feel undermined, overlooked, alone. Someone has to stand up for them. I am, and was, one of them so I feel it’s only right that I do. So that’s my stance.

I've never figured out what your name Angel Haze, actually means? There's various explanations online. What's the real one?

It’s a metaphor for things that are high. Surname, Haze. Weed. Angel/ religious realm, spiritual, heavenly or whatever. It was just another way to say that I was better than everyone else. I’ve had so many names throughout the years and I was like ‘Oh they all suck, this one would be good’. Now I want to change my name to Alaska Young.

I’m a big giant control freak.

It’s confusing to find you online.

I know. Leona (Lewis) said she tried to add me on Twitter the other day and was like ‘Who the f*ck is Alaska Young!’ It’s a book called Looking For Alaska. The girl in the book is literally me. It’s so weird. In every way possible. She’s very irrational, she thinks she’s smarter than everyone, she has an incredible library collections, she believes all these stupid things and she tries to control everyone around her. She plays all these mental games with people. She tries to get them not to be so fearful, to do all the shit that they want but at the same time she’s manipulating them because it’s all a big show for her and a game.

And that’s how you’d describe yourself?

Yeah, I’m a big giant control freak. But at the end of the book she dies so... it’s a really good book.

What's your earliest memory?

I’m looking in the mirror in a purple jogging suit and I’m about five and I’m with my brother and he’s wearing a blue one with some like teal blue triangle things across it. We’re waiting for our mum and... that’s where it ends.

I was going to go to the Peace Corps in Thailand and help little girls learn to read and teach them English and Math

What are your long-term plans?

I’m going to do this for five years; I’m going to get in and get out and then I’m going to take my picture down by the Queens Castle! I’m kidding. I don’t know. I’m kind of winging it. A part of me still wants to go back to school and pursue something in Psychology or Neuroscience or something like that, and I want to do all these charities. I was going to go to the Peace Corps in Thailand and help little girls learn to read and teach them English and Math. There’s a slot of things I want to do but... this first.

Sway Ft. Youngman and Tom Tom: Right Direction

Deciding to release a track a week, Derek drops the third instalment. Once again, executing a well thought out concept, Sway utilises the old Sat Nav for a song that is both sharp and speedy.

Kenzo X Vans

Parisian Fashion Force Kenzo teams up with teenage favourite Vans on a wild animal themed slip on.

The tiger is a big part of the current Kenzo design, and here the beast is placed front and center of the bold design.

The shoes are available now from Kenzo and select boutiques.

Breaking Bad Miley Viral

Another day, another Breaking Bad viral.

If you haven't seen this week's episode, don't worry, this won't spoil anything but it WILL make you laugh.

Eminem: Berzerk

Produced by Rick Rubin, this guitar-heavy single which samples Billy Squier's The Stroke sees Marshall "take it back to Hip Hop'. He also takes a pop at Khole Kardashian (unfortunate timing) and shouts out Kendrick. Berzerk is another great example of Em's incredible wordplay and gift for imagery.

"The art of MCing mixed with da Vinci and MC Ren/ And I don't mean Stimpy's friend, bitch/ Been Public Enemy since you thought PE was gym, bitch."

The single is taking from Em's forthcoming album, MMLP2, due out November 5th, which will be produced by Rubin and Dr Dre.

The single is available to buy now.

Kanye Interview

Ye never, ever gives interviews these days, however, he decided to grant one that will air tomorrow.

And who was the lucky recipient?

His mother-in-law, Kris Jenner, who, it turns out has a new TV show.

We're not sure what to say about this, but, well, there you go. In this clip, Kanye talks his love for Kim and their new baby, North West.

Juicy J Ft. Justin Timberlake: The Woods

These two are of course no strangers to working together; Three 6 appeared on Chop Me Up, on JT's FutureSexLoveSounds.

Reuniting on Juicy's forthcoming album, Stay Trippy, this is produced by Timberland and sounds somewhat ace.

M.I.A: Unbreak My Mixtape

 
With her fifth album, Matangi, due in November, Maya Arulpragasam today dropped a sample-heavy single that, for M.I.A., is quite chilled. Nodding towards Blur and Rose Royce, the track is labelled 'Lovers Rock' and 'Break-up' song over on Soundcloud.

As one of the UK's most musically boundary breaking artist, no doubt Matangi will be another extraordinary release from the Sri Lankan born rapper-slash-singer.

R Kelly X Breaking Bad

This is a rather large LOL. With a little help from the cast of Breaking Bad, enjoy Kell'z latest remix of Ignitition (remix)

RiFF RaFF: Raiders Vs Hawks

In the way only RiFF Raff can, his latest, Lex Luger driven tune muses on football. Sort of.

"I should have played for the Raiders. I should played for the Hawks. Why? Cos I'm ballin'. But from the backseat."

This guy.

Sam Smith: Nirvana

This is drop dead gorgeous slice of swoonsomeness and we love it.

Known for his vocals on Disclosure's Latch and Naughty Boy's La La La, Smith's debut for PMR Records will be released in October. Entitled Nirvana, here's the title song from the 4-track EP, which was named Zane Lowe's Hottest Record In The World last night.

Said Sam: “Ladies and gentlemen, since ‘La La La’ I’ve been experimenting with different sounds and producers in preparation for my record.  I have loved the process so much that I have decided to release an EP this summer to show you what I’ve been trying out.  ‘Safe With Me’ is the first song on the EP”

Afrikan Boy: Hit Em Up

First making his name as a protege of M.I.A., Afrikan Boy and his songs about Lidl had many predicting him as 'the next big thing' to emerge from the grime scene, albeit with his own unique African twist.

It didn't quite happen last time round, though he got to appear on her records (most notably the Paper Planes remix) and travel the world with Mia and was, maybe still, signed to her label, N.E.E.T.

Re-emerging after a short break, we wonder if this song could be the one to break him down. Over a boisterous, horn-driven beat which samples the mighty Fela Kuti, the Woolwich based Olushola Ajose drops some great lines, which have earned him the attention of everyone from Lauren Laverne to DJ Semtex.

Buy Hit Em Up now on iTunes.

Chase & Status Ft. Pusha T: Machine Gun

Apart from when Pusha pronounces Status 'Stat-Us', this promises to be quite a very great song.

Really looking forward to hearing what else Chase and Stat-Us have us their bassy sleeves when the new album, Brand New Machine, drops this October.

Maxsta: Trampoline (Freestyle)

Max jumps on the Diplo created Tinie beat and rhymes about Newham, Roll Deep, his brother and how great a rapper he is!

Look forward to hearing more from the East London MC.

The Weeknd Ft.Drake: Live For

The melancholy Canadian two team up for the first time since 2011's Take Care, for a slice of, you guessed it, sadness.

The Weeknd swoons over adventures with the laydeez, while Drizzy reflects on fame and, yep, the laydeez.

Scrufizzer: Kick It

Teaming up with Zed Bias the one with the fizzy flow drops it like it's hot. Very, very hot.

Pre-order this smash from here.

Mutya Keisha Siobhan: Flatline

There's no denying it, this song is just a bit brilliant.

Written by the almighty Dev Hynes (him what wrote Solanges' Losing You) and shot in LA, the highlight of this sinle has to be hearing those three voices harmonise again. Mutya remains on our our favourite UK female singers, but Mutya x Keisha = A lot squared, basically.

John Dolan Exhibition

If you're a Shoreditch regular, then you may well have seen John Dolan with his ever trusty and distinctive black eyed boxer, George. It turns out that the formerly homeless artist has been sketching sights from the hipster capital for several years, documenting the ever changing architecture of Shoreditch High St, Brick Lane and the looming city behind them.

Dolan has also worked with local street artists like ROA and Zomby, who add their mark to his city-scapes, in the series of striking paintings.

John's work, titled George The Dog, John The Artist, will be exhibited at the Howard Griffin Gallery, 189-190 Shoreditch High Street from Spetember 19 to the 26.

Kendrick: Control Responses

The replies to Lamar's audacious Control continue to roll in.

The latest arrives courtesy of Lupe Fiasco. Will the real players respond? Drake? Jay? A$AP? It seems unlikely, so for now we'll have to make do with the minor league lyricists like Lupe and Joe Budden and Uncle Murda, below, who have also taken umbrage to Kendrick's killer blow.

RiFF RaFF: Ballin Outta Control

The MIA MC is the latest to retort to Kendrick's controversy causing Control.

Eminem: Survival

Taken from the new Call of Duty game, this is a straight up banger from the mouth of Marshall Mathers.

Produced by DJ Khalil, the official video is due soon, preceding a new album, rumoured to be due in November. We personally can't wait.

Earl Sweatshirt Interview

Elliott Wilson talks to Earl live and direct from A1 Record Store in New York. The two talk about the rapper's debut Doris, RZA's contribution to the album and his influences.

Undefeated x G-Shock Sessions

G-Shock continues to celebrate its big 3-0 with a month of events at its East London pop-up on Dray Walk.

Last week Ghostpoet performed, this week everyone from Show N Prove, Rodney P to Baby Blue will do their thing, as G-Shock also launches a new collaboration with LA street wear brand Undefeated.

The DW-6901UD-3ER is reworked in military tones with white UNDFTD logo on the dial and cloth strap with logo detailing. The watch goes on sale tomorrow from the Pop-Up store for £100.

To attend the launch on Friday, email sessions@casio.co.uk.

Breaking Bad Lego

Recreating Walt's New Mexico lab, this playset features Walt, Guz and Mike (Mike!) figures, with whom you can reenact scenes from the soon to RIP'd Breaking Bad. A genius idea, and one we wish we'd thought of!

Costing $250, you can get this amazing collector's item from Citizen Brick.

Just Blaze & Baauer Fy. Jay Z: Higher

Directed by Nabil Elderkin, this martial arts short is a great accompaniment to Blaze and Baauer's Hov sampling Higher

Phillip Lim For Target

Who doesn't love it when a high-end designer teams with a High St store?

Phillip Lim's teaming up with Target is a dream made in fashion heaven - as long as you live in the US or other places that has Target. We in the UK will have to wait to get our mitts on this.

Available from September, prices range from $20 to $300. Better book you a flight for a Target near you!

Big Sean Ft. Kendrick & Jay Electronica: Control

Taken from Sean's forthcoming album, this track won't see the official light of day due to sample issues. However, it looks like this will be the most talked about track not to be found on Sean's Hall Of Fame.

Featuring 7 minutes of straight spitting, you might want to >>FF to Lamar's closing verse, in which the Compton MC claims to be the King of New York. Bets are on as to who will be the first to repond.

Here's a sample of what K. Dot has to say on Control.

"I heard barber shops debate the greats of all time/ Who's the best MC? Kendrick, Jigga and Nas/ Eminem, Andre 3000, the rest of y'all/ New n***** just new n**** don't get involved....  I'm usually homeboys with the same n****** I'm rhyming with/ But this is Hip Hop and them n***** should know what time it is/ And that goes for Jermaine Cole, Big KRIT, Wale/ Pusha T, Meek Mill, ASAP Rocky, Drake/ Big Sean, Jay Electron', Tyler, Mac Miller/ I got love for you all but i'm trying to murder you n*****"

Giggs: (Is It Gangsta?) Yes Yes Yes

Following on from the snippet, here's Giggs and Mark Ronson's new smash in full.

This is a huge massive tune.

Opening Ceremony X Elvis

It's Elvis Week apparently, so the King's Elvis Presley Enterprises have teamed up with Carole and Humberto's Opening Ceremony for a capsule collection inspired by the late, great, King of Rock N Roll.

Available in unisex, expect denim jackets, shirts, t's, sweaters and plenty of slogans.

You can buy from right here.

Sway Ft. J Spades: Heisenberg

This one goes out to all the Walter White fans out there.

Breaking Bad, coming to an end near you soon.

Sad/excited face.

Giggs x Mark Ronson: (Is It Gangsta) Yes Yes

Firstly; loving the use of parenthesis...

Secondly; what an interesting pairing. Giggs returns with a beat by Mark Ronson, no stranger to the world of Grime (Wiley's Cash In My Pocket), although it feels like a while since Ronson dipped his toe in the world of urban music. A brave move also for Giggs, but one that pays off. Clearly this is a pairing between two people who are mutual fans of each other. You can hear that this is a collab between to people in the same room, as opposed to a label driven cash transaction, beats-by-numbers send over the interweb. We approve.

The super-producer gifts the Peckham MC with a Ronson special. that distinctly soul-horn-driven special, leaving Giggs to do what he does best; Rap. Hard.

G-FrSH: Trampoline [Freestyle]

The Disturbing Londoner delivers his own take on his labelmate's latest single.

Shout out to the young lady in the Kesh American Apparel leggings.

A$AP Ferg X BAPE

The Trap Lord has teamed up with the Overload of streetwear,  BAPE, for this t-shirt collabo. Designed by Jay West, the shirt features religious iconography and some lovely stained glass window workings.

There will only be 100 made available; so if you want to try and get your hands on one, head to BAPE store New York at 6pm on 19 August.

Stussy X Yo! MTV Raps: Part 1 and 2

Stüssy x Yo! MTV Raps - Part 1 - The Importance of Yo! MTV Raps from Stussy on Vimeo.



Some of your whippersnappers may not remember Yo! MTV Raps, but this, alongside Tim Westwood's KISS FM show, was seminal in the spread of Hip Hop - both sonically and culturally.

Featuring everyone from Rakim, Alchemist, MC Lyte and Hip Hop's premier publicist, Bill Adler, Part 1 talks about the history while Part 2 looks at the fashions spawned via rappers seen on Raps, including Run DMC and their shell toe adidas (Look Ma, no shoelaces!), The Fresh Prince's Le Coq Sportif, Kane's Bally shows and Slick Rick and his suits.

Reebok Pump x BAPE

AAPE by A Bathing Ape adds even more cool to the Reebok Pump Fury with the debut of their camo-led design. Smothering the sneaker in green and brown print, there's also the BAPE Moonman men to be found on the tongue and Footsoldiers on the heel.

Available from Reebok from 24 August.

Converse Cashmere

You might not want these bad boys out in the wet too much, but we love Converse's luxe new design. 100% cashmere with black leather footbed, they also come with storm-shield coating (so might be more durable than you thought) and moisture repellent spray in order to protect your feet regardless of the weather.

Available today from Dover Street Market.

The Counselor: Trailer

Written by Cormac 'The Road' McCarthy, directed by Riley 'Alien' Scott and starring Michael 'Shame' Fassbender, Javier 'No Country' Bardem, Cameron 'Mary' Diaz and Penelope 'Tom' Cruz,  The Counselor tells the tale of a lawyer who ends up embroiled in the drug business.

The film is out 15 November.

Eminem: G-Shock 30th

Slim played a number of hits earlier this week at G-Shock's 30th birthday, Shock The World. We are DEV'D not to have been there.

Eminem also launched his own Detroit inspired, limited edition G-Shock, available from December.

Stalley: Honest Cowboy Mixtape

Rick Ross's MMG signee Stalley has enjoyed a slow burn when it comes to 'heat'. However, it looks like this new 10 track mixtape should ensure a career explosion for the Ohio rhymer, with features from Scarface and ScHoolboy Q and beats by DJ Quik and Block Beataz. Particularly like Spaceships & Woodgrain and NineteenEighty7 Ft. Q.

Follow Stalley

Eminem For G-Shock

A big fan of G-Shock, Eminem performed at Shock The World in New York last night to celebrate the launch of this extremely limited edition watch.

On sale for $180, this matte black with black dial and black reverse LCD is inspired by Em's hometown of Detroit. The rapper, who still lives in the D, used the design to nod towards his darker past in the crumbling city of Detroit, the skyline of which is printed in bold red on the upper watch band.

The face and band loop boast Em's reverse 'E'  logo while the case has a personalized 'Shady' autograph.

We'll have to be patient though - the watch won't hit shops until December. Perfect for Christmas...!

MckNasty Ft. Ghetts: Beat My Drum

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Combining the incredible talents of J. Clarke and J. McKenzie, the east London rapper and drummer deliver a high-octane track that demonstrates just how multi-talented McKnasty is.

Watch out for the mixtape, Nasty By Nature, out 12 September.

ScHoolboy Q Ft. Kendrick Lamar: Collard Greens

Featuring a cameo from Macklemore, the Compton TDE two deliver appropriate visuals for this new single from Q. Watch for the debut album, coming soon.

Drake Ft. Majid Jordan: We're Going Home

Amplify Dot: Live Lounge

Dotty delivers her own take on Hov's Holy Grail and Lauryn Hill's That Thing.

Great choices, great covers.

Bashy: These Are The Songs

Directed by Paul Akinrinlola, Bashy takes us, and himself, back to the late 90s and the days of UKG, Danny Weed and detention. Makes us want to put on some Moet and pop some Moschino...!

Drake: All Of Me

This sits somewhere between wet Drake (say, Fireworks) and not wet Drake (Started From The Bottom). He does sing on it, but then he also raps about sleeping with his babysitter so...

Also, love the sampling of Parks & Rec star Aziz Anzari. Here we imagine 'Tom Haverford's face if this happened to him in TV life. This is Tom being told Drake samples him on his new song.

George The Poet: Go Home

One of the UK's most important voices tackles the Government campain on illegal immigration.