Crooklyn by Moruf from Adam Saewitz on Vimeo.

Ha Dope!

This video had me at the MJ reference.

What I love about what I do, is when I get to discover new things or when new things are brought to my attention that I get to share with you guys.  Last night my friend Jesse Jones, shared something with me that I absolutely had to share with you all. He sent me this mp3 of a kid named Triston Maurice and it has been on repeat ever since.  His flow sounds natural, unrehearsed with a raw edge. I’m definitely waiting to hear more from this kid. This song is called “Back outta my mommas basement” off his mixtape, I’m Home. I like this kids flow and delivery, it really reminds me of some old Smif-n-Wesson and I just wanted to share it with you guys.

*If you have any thoughts on this post I would love for you to share them with me and the rest of our readers.

Thanks to Nation for bringing us such a dope inspirational story. Nation got Noah Callahan Bever from Complex magazine, a man I respect to open up a bit about himself. You should head over there and read the full story! I wanted to share with you guys, NCB’s 20 important things, which are great!

20) People love lists. They’re the simplest and most immediate way to organize information and there’s nothing people enjoy more than having their tastes confirmed, disputed, and broadened.

19) You should consider everything you create to be an argument to the world as to why the people they consider ‘your peers’ are not really your peers. Don’t just accept the comparison.

18) A really good Q&A can deliver as much analysis as a well-written narrative feature—but about 10 times more people will read it.

17) If you agree to interview a rapper, you’re also agreeing to accept the possibility that, due to the circumstances of said interview and the ensuing reaction it evokes, you may never want to listen that rapper’s music again. I’ve never covered Q-Tip. He may be a nice guy and it could go great, but I have certain sentimental attachments to the music of ATCQ that I’m not willing to forsake.

16) Apprenticeship has been the key to whatever level of success I’ve achieved.

15) You can’t stand on the shoulders of those who came before you if you tear them down on your way to the top. Be gracious.

14) Honor your commitments to the people that put you on, even if it postpones new opportunities momentarily. You wouldn’t even be entertaining the opportunity if it wasn’t for those that put you in that position in the first place.

13) You’re only privy to 40% of your boss’s job, so keep that in mind when you Monday morning quarterback his or her decisions. It’s never as easy as you think, and you’ll only ever know the breadth and depth of the pressure until you have to do it yourself.

12) Compensation follows success; which follows excelling at what you do; which follows doing what you enjoy; which follows doing what you have a natural talent for.

11) There’s always a vocal minority that thinks you suck. One of them is probably going to comment on this post. Somehow I’ll soldier on.

10) Invest time mentoring the next generation. If you do a good job, one day they may cut you a check. Or at the very least, in the shortterm, they’ll explain the Internet to you (Lookin’ at you @bfred and @jlapuma).

9) If you surround yourself with the smartest people you can find, people will think you’re a lot smarter than you are. Only insecure people think this works the other way.

8 ) Don’t hoard the credit, there’s always enough to go around.

7) I get a lot of compliments on certain stories I’ve written, and that’s cool, but honestly, if you can’t get a good interview out of 50 Cent or Kanye West it’s time to assess your career ambitions.

6) People who are friends with everyone say the same nice things to the people whose work you don’t respect.

5) The internet is far more permanent than print. And anyone with a writer’s ego should appreciate that.

4) If you’re gonna shit on someone’s rhyme, you should try, at least once, to sit down and write a 16. It’s hard. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their opinion as a listener and consumer, but a little respect for the difficulty of the process may inform how you express your dissatisfaction.

3) Generally speaking, those who are the most critical of you are your biggest fans. Just ask my mom.

2) When I was 12 my dad told me that I’d enjoy life a lot more if I acquired a taste for inexpensive coffee, wine, whiskey, and women. I didn’t listen to him, but that doesn’t mean he was wrong.

1) When you’re on a packed flight, never change your seat at the gate. The dude in front of me has been growing yeast in socks. At least that’s what it smells like.

Props to Nation for this one!

The new media which I call blogs and online magazines have spoiled a lot of people. I get the feeling that a lot of people feel because everything is just 1 click, post or tweet away that they should automatically get coverage on their projects. “Hey I can just email the guy at said website and ask him to post my story and if he chooses not to, I will just email him again and again until he does.” When did this start happening? I wonder if the heads or the program directors at the TV networks like HBO,NBC, CTV, FOX or CNN were so easily accessible in the prime of OLD MEDIA? Were they just an email away? I sometimes wonder where this sense of entitlement came from? Of course things get posted on your favorite blogs that are wack or not cool but again that is all opinion.

I do however feel that there needs to be a popular Online News Outlet that covers all things relevant to our culture and subcultures without any biases. Some entity that will report on everything that is going on out there in the world of streetwear, sneakers, fashion, gadgets and all the things we are all into. Why? Because it is impossible for everyone to be up on everything. I too search and want to know whats going on beyond what I’m into or what I can see. If no one is covering the new sneaker brand from Arkansas, how would we ever know that it exist? I wish there was a place I can visit to at least find out about what’s going on in Arkansas as an example, I am not saying I will buy it, support it or even post it but I would still like to be aware of it.

As much as marcustroy.com has grown in popularity around the world is not a news outlet. I report, cover and explore only the things that I like or have an intimate relationship with. As much as I would love to speak on everything that comes across my desk or my inbox, I don’t like everything or find everything dope so if I don’t like it or I don’t know enough about it, I don’t post it. Is that fair?

You have to understand that we all see ourselves as cool, trendsetting or even cutting edge even though in reality some of us might not be but that is besides the point. You are dealing with egos in this world and you have to understand the psychology behind all of this. Telling us who has posted or covered your project before us might do you more of a disservice than anything else. It is not a great selling point telling us our competition or a bigger entity has posted your story, that might be a reason for us not to post it.

If you are a new guy in the game, work on presentation, development, visuals make your project undeniable and I believe you will get the coverage you want.

All my peers have worked extremely hard to create their entities and new media outlets, don’t get mad if they don’t give your project any shine, I think for the most part we all post things based on our personal taste, readers needs and the relationships we have developed with a given brand or person. When you call your project “dope” or “cool” or “revolutionary” keep in mind that it is only your opinion, you can’t expect everyone else to feel the same way.

The great thing about new media is that it is fairly cheap to create, if you wanted to start a TV show or a Magazine ask my friends over at COMPLEX MAGAZINE how expensive it is to run such an entity?

I suggest and put a challenge out to all you who have ever wondered why a given site hasn’t posted about your projects or endeavors. Do what we did and create your own new media outlet and promote your own projects. Go out there and make it bigger and better than all the sites you love and covet. I promise you if you create your own powerhouse, you will never have a problem getting love for the things you are so passionate about.

I think 50 Cent was a genius to partner up and start thisis50.com which has become a leader in hip hop media. If the rest of the media decides to boycott his projects at least he has a entity that is bigger than most of them anyway.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this post if you have any.
Peace

Live from my blackberry at Starbucks

Nike x Manny Pacquiao Collection by Marcus Troy from Marcus Troy on Vimeo.

Marcus Troy TV Presents:

A visual look at Nike’s Manny Pacquiao Spring 2010 Collection.

WBO World welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and Nike release today his “player edition” of the Air Trainer SC 2010.

Nike Air Trainer SC 2010

marcustroy.com
twitter.com/marcustroy
twitter.com/marcustroyblog
twitter.com/justingarcon
nike.com

Music instrumental: “Over” by Drake produced by Boi 1-da

Filmed by Justin Garcon with the Kodak zi8
Directed & Edited by Marcus Troy

All clothing was provided by Nike

Thanks for watching Marcus Troy TV

These are my favorites from the Android Homme Spring 2010 Collection.

It is so important to go all the way with your product presentation, marketing and image…it goes such a long way with telling your story. This is great!

*I love “BRANDS” who really create a Brand and not just call something a brand because they gave it a name.

March 12, 2010 (Los Angeles, CA) – Android Homme is happy to announce five new styles: the Apollo, Craft Lo, Craft Hi, Moc-1, and Space Deck.

Spring will additionally mark the premiere of low-tops into the collection including the Apollo, an all-leather low-top available in Red and Gray/White. Additionally, the Craft Lo will be available in a variety of premium materials and colorways. The Craft Lo and Craft Hi feature a leather toecap, but the Hi, as well as the seasons accessories, are offered in one colorway, Black. The moccasin inspired Moc-1 is available in Red Suede/Red Patent and Black Suede/Black Patent, and the boat shoe inspired Space Deck features similar materials, available in Gray Suede and Gray Patent. In addition to the new styles, new colorways are offered for the Propulsion and Propulsion II.

Realize. Redefine. Reboot. Reprogram. Android Homme.

For more information please visit: http://www.androidhomme.com/

About Android Homme:

Android Homme products are designed to metaphorically reflect that all humans are inherently programmed beings, similar to robots and computers. Android Homme challenges the public to reformat, encouraging the installation of new software that produces better individual and collective results. The logo inspiration of the pyramid derives from the divine proportion, the physical nature that keeps the harmony and unity of the universe. The ascension points towards the creator or your higher self. It represents the mind, body, and spirit, all of which keep us conscious.

After the Jay-Z concert in New Jersey I was invited to the 40/40 Club to grab some drinks and hang out. As we got to the door we kindly told the bouncers we were there to see Desiree Gonzalez (co-owner and GM) and the bouncers immediately (after checking the facts) they escorted us in trough the side door and had us wait in this room.

Desiree came a short while after and gave us the entire tour of the venue. We walked trough the kitchen to get to another room which was such a “Goodfellas” moment, in that room we met OG Juan…moving on. Desiree was so dope she set us up in a vip booth and told us everything was on the house! It was like 2am in the morning and I was starving so I decided to order a Philly Cheesestake.

Who orders a Cheestakes in a club? I guess there is a first time for everything.

I would really like to share with you guys my experience with this 2am philly, but frankly I don’t remember, everything tastes good at 2am.

After all the fun and drinks we decided to break out and the our host then came back with some gift bags. Desiree unfortunately had to break out to catch an early PJ to VA for the next stop on Jigga’s tour. How dope is that?

Inside the gift bag was a 40/40 Club cap and t-shirt, what a cool gesture!

The 40/40 club is a really dope sports bar with ESPN on the screen at all times. The music was on point and the place was just packed! You might want to get bottle service and a table to fully enjoy the experience.

Big Thanks and Shout out to Desiree & Juan, Holiday, and Jen.

About the 40/40 Club

The 40/40 Club is a chain of All-American sports bars and lounges owned by hip hop mogul Jay-Z and partners Desiree Gonzalez and Juan Pérez. The name is borrowed from the baseball term [1] used to denote the exclusive group of Major League Baseball players who have achieved the rare individual feat of recording 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season.

They respecting my mind now…

Converse got together with Number (N)ine for this amazing collaboration!

The collection launches on March 13, 2010 and will be at select retailers. I love the used tennis ball look of these and it is a great departure from the classic Converse silhouettes.

Converse

About the collaboration:

Number (N)ine for Converse

Converse announces its Number (N)ine for Converse collection. Some of the last Number (N)ine products available from Takahiro Miyashita’s highly sought-after label, the collection includes Chuck Taylor All Star and One Star shoes that will be available in February and will be followed up later in the year with new versions and Takahiro’s take on the Converse Odessa trainer.

The collaboration seems especially fitting for Takahiro who sees Converse as a sort of beginning and an end. “My childhood started with Converse” he says, noting that with the closing of Number (N)ine, that Converse has a special existence in relation to both his youth and the end of Number (N)ine.

Converse worked closely with Takahiro to create his interpretations of the Chuck Taylor All Star and One Star shoes, which Takahiro considers “authentic and permanent”. Taking a hybrid approach, Takahiro chose to incorporate the asymmetrical lacing of the 1970 and ‘80s era Converse Odessa shoe into his design. The Odessa shoe, which was originally designed for running, was super innovative for its time and a shoe from the Converse archives that Takahiro has long admired. Following the Chuck Taylor All Star and One Star versions, Converse will debut the Number (N)ine version of the Odessa trainer in early 2010.

The collection includes an oxford version of the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe with premium deer skin, yellow shag suede uppers, asymmetrical lacing and a metallic gold star on the shoe’s heel. A One Star version is also available in premium deer skin white shag suede uppers, asymmetrical lacing and a silver metallic star on the shoe’s heel. The shoes global launch will occur March 13, 2010 at select retailers globally. All shoes will retail for $140 and will be available in unisex sizing.

Product Names

Number (N)ine for Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Asymmetrical oxford shoe

Number (N)ine for Converse One Star ’74 Asymmetrical oxford shoe

Available At:

10 Corso Como – Milan (www.10corsocomo.com)

Aloha Rag – New York City, Honolulu (www.aloharag.com)

Blends – Los Angeles (www.blendsus.com)

Canvas – Malibu (www.canvasbg.com)

Colette – Paris (www.colette.fr)

Dover Street Market – London (www.doverstreetmarket.com)

Juice – Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai (www.clotinc.com)

Livestock – Vancouver, Toronto (http://deadstock.ca/livestock/)

Patta – Amsterdam (www.teampatta.nl)

Undefeated – Los Angeles, Las Vegas (www.undftd.com)
Wood Wood – Berlin, Copenhagen (www.woodwood.dk

*If you have any thoughts on this post, please share it with me

In celebration of five new styles and the launch of accessories for Spring 2010, Android Homme today releases the season’s campaign images (shot by Sarah McColgan)

* I will bring you guys detailed image shots this week!
I love this campaign I think Sarah killed this shoot! WOW! Inspired.

Big shout out to Javier Laval for having such a great vision.