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How A$AP Mob made hood fashion relevant with VLONE

The VLONE brand launched its first collection back in 2014.

Since then, the streetwear scene hasn’t been the same. Just about everywhere you look, you’re bound to come across someone sporting a VLONE hoodie or t-shirt.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLwNfKvAaas/

Not to mention, social media helps amplify how much of a powerhouse the streetwear brand has become over the last three years.

Despite the brand’s undeniable popularity, there are a few fast facts not even the most VLONE-obsessed thread-heads are aware of.


VLONE was created by A$AP Bari, A$AP Rocky and CLOT’s Edison Chen.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRw3JPDjMf_/

Despite Edison Chen’s involvement in the success of VLONE, alongside veteran A$AP Mob members Bari and Rocky, Bari insists there aren’t any “official roles” amongst the three originators of the brand.

Edison does what he does. I do what I do. Rocky does what he does.

It’s that simple.


According to A$AP Rocky, VLONE means “you live alone, you die alone.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNRT9vjAeb8/

In a past interview with Highsnobiety, the 28-year-old rapper stated,

VLONE is just a lifestyle: live alone, die alone.

He’s not wrong.

Rocky went on to say, “People these days are just adapting to that lifestyle, whether you feel ostracized from society for whatever reason; your own internal reasons.”


The orange “FRIENDS-” print seen on VLONE clothing stands for “minus friends” meaning “zero friends.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNeSjHJAptx/

And what are you when you have “zero friends?” You’re alone.


The brand has held pop up shops in major cities like London, Hong Kong, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, NYC, Miami and Los Angeles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ70SPNBm2I/


Despite the fashion industry labels imposed on VLONE, the brand is not considered to be streetwear by its founders.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQb_LIYjGXd/

From VLONE visionary A$AP Bari himself,

I’m not streetwear. I’m not high fashion. I’m hood fashion. I do my shit for the hood niggas. I do my shit for the neighborhood drug dealer or anybody that is in the struggle.

Noted.


VLONE drops aren’t supposed to satisfy everyone, so get it while it’s hot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx-aU-xHgug

Bari says when he creates “special pieces,” he only wants to sell them to “a limited amount of people.” Why? Well, because they’re special, of course.


The NIKE LAB X VLONE AIR FORCE 1 are selling for as much as $1,750, proving Bari’s limited quantity approach to be highly effective.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVuNJH5le9d/


Since launching in 2014, VLONE has received an impressive amount of support from familiar faces.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPfklVPA_Cg/?hl=en


When designing VLONE pieces, it’s all done with a “freestyle” approach.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLwOdHRAVw9/

In a past interview with Vogue magazine, Bari revealed,

Everything, including the design process, is based on a freestyle… back and forth, and we brainstorm.

As Kanye would say, “I GOT IDEAS.”


When you purchase VLONE gear in-person, there’s a big chance you’ll be receiving your purchased items from A$AP Bari himself.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKpL9FjAOch/

Bari claims,

When you come and purchase VLONE from a VLONE pop-up I’m probably 85 percent at the store handing you your own piece.

That’s probably the only time you aren’t alone.

Marvel recreated classic hip-hop albums as comics and it’s too fire

If you consider your favorite hip-hop artists to play the role of superheroes with their life-changing emcee skills, Marvel’s latest artistic offering will certainly support your vivid imagination.

The comic powerhouse released a series reimagining classic hip-hop album covers as comic book characters.

Totaling six covers, Marvel cooked up Ultimates as Salt ‘N Pepa, Champions as Wu-Tang Clan, Luke Cage as LL Cool J, and Nova as Chance The Rapper, Jessica Jones as Kevin Gates, and Iron Man as Big Daddy Kane.

So, where’d the idea originally stem from to craft such an obscure (but very necessary) work of art? According to Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso, comic culture and hip hop go hand-in-hand. Alonso stated,

Comics and hip-hop share a common narrative: They’re all about underdogs struggling, striving and persevering against overwhelming odds.

So it’s no surprise that so many rappers have been influenced by the Marvel mythology or embraced the Marvel heroes over the decades.

The hip-hop covers were our way of showing that the love is reciprocal. A lot of the writers, artists, and editors that make Marvel Comics are inspired by hip-hop, and it shows in their work.

Peep the 6 covers below.

Marvel

Iron Man (50 Cent – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’)

Marvel

Luke Cage (LL Cool J – Bigger And Deffer)

Marvel

Nova (Chance The Rapper – Coloring Book)

Marvel

Ant-Man (The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready To Die)

Marvel

Infamous Iron Man (Big Daddy Kane – Long Live The Kane)

Marvel

Captain America (A$AP Rocky – Long.Live.A$AP)

Marvel

Kamala Khan (Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill)

Marvel

Jessica Jones (Kevin Gates – Islah)

Marvel

Dr. Strange (Dr. Dre – The Chronic)

Marvel

X-Men (De La Soul – 3 Feet High and Rising)

Marvel

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (Tyler, The Creator – Wolf)

Marvel

Ultimates (Salt ‘N Pepa – Hot, Cool & Vicious)

Marvel

Champions (Wu-Tang Clan – Iron Flag)

Marvel

Marvel first unveiled its hip-hop variants back in 2015. Since then, several hip-hop albums were added to the lineup with more to come.

As far as we’re concerned, keep ’em coming.

IKEA linked with Virgil Abloh to make affordable, fly furniture for the kids, bro

How did you furnish your first apartment? There’s a good chance you blew your furniture budget on top-shelf weed and a new entertainment system.

That means you put together a “living room” with half of the furniture you had growing up and the rest your parents bought for you out of pure sympathy.

For those of you young ass kids out there looking to gain your independence and move out of your momma’s basement, Off-White creator Virgil Abloh is here to make the early stages of adulthood a little less ratchet.

According to DeZeen, IKEA has tapped the Kanye-approved fashion designer to help design a collection for “millennials” (aka young motherfuckers like us) moving into their first homes.

The announcement was made during IKEA’s Democratic Design Day event in Älmhult, Sweden.

While it is not entirely clear which types of products Virgil Abloh will design for the furniture and home goods giant, the 36-year-old says he plans to keep the classic IKEA look and feel in mind when designing.

We’re in a moment where IKEA is transcending, and people are bringing this do-it-yourself culture to the blue bag. What I’m most interested in is doing that process in partnership with the brand. It’s allowing me to put my opinion on a classic.

So, why would IKEA call on a creative like Virgil known for his take on street style and not home furnishings? It’s simple: he just “doesn’t care about boundaries” when influencing the youth.

Henrik Most, a creative exec over at IKEA Range and Supply, revealed,

We’ve been curious about Virgil Abloh for some time. Him being a multi-creative persona who doesn’t care about boundaries combined with his close connections to young people, their needs and wants. It made us curious.

This is something everyone should be able to appreciate.

After all, inexpensive but stylish furniture will leave more room in your nonexistent budget for all of the other shit you low key care about more than having an actual couch for guests to sit on.

Most added,

IKEA wants to explore the first home and how to make it inexpensive and fashionable. And we believe Virgil Abloh and Off-White is the perfect match to do that with.

Time will certainly tell, kids. For now, just try not to pop your air mattress, though.

Interested in learning more about Virgil Abloh’s partnership with IKEA? Check this out.

Here’s what you can expect from VLONE’s Paris fashion show

This month A$AP Bari is set to take his hood fashion brand VLONE worldwide yet again. The A$AP Mob member is set to show his latest collection during Paris Fashion Week.

https://twitter.com/TOASTOTHEGOD/status/871800672718471168

After crafting the ultimate VLONE lifestyle experience with pop-up shops in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Tokyo, and London, Bari is ready to take on Paris Fashion Week like never before.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BU2ipNwh501/

In a new interview, the 25-year-old streetwear trailblazer recently spoke to WWD, saying,

I wanted to show in Paris to see if I could complete the mission I’m going for. I’m trying to show kids that you can do anything. I’m not a kid that went to fashion school. I’m not a kid that went to college and studied fashion. I’m a kid that grew up in fashion and learned it from a life experience.

On June 23 in the 1st Arrondissement, Bari is expected to present VLONE’s first cut-and-sew pieces he designed while he was in Japan and Italy.

I might do a denim program. I might do some leather pieces. I’m not sure.

The keyword there is “might.” VLONE has remained unpredictable and full of surprises following collabs with brands like Nike and the upcoming Fragment collection.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQcAJqqjC44/

Besides, it’s only right that Bari would have something very, very rare up his sleeve for his first official fashion show.

Bari wrapped up his recent interview with WWD while speaking on the fact that he refuses to sell out by working with major retail stores (or referring to fashion shows as “fashion” shows).

https://twitter.com/TOASTOTHEGOD/status/871800953384521728

Instead, he plans on keeping VLONE anchored to his own creative vision.

Buyers can come to the show and get inspired, but it’s still not for the stores. It’s for the people. It’s for the world.

In other words, just because VLONE is taking part in Paris Fashion Week as the brand makes more waves on the scene every day, doesn’t mean we should be expecting Bari to hand his craft over to the mass retail industry just like that.

If Barneys wants to come and buy some clothes, they are going to have to buy the whole lifestyle of Vlone and let me shut down Barneys and bring in my own vision. Other than that, they can’t have it. It’s for me. It’s not for someone to take my shit and resell.

So, what does VLONE have in store this month?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BU2ibQfhhoc/?taken-by=vlone&hl=en

You’ll just have to wait and see, my G.

In other VLONE-related news, the brand’s collaboration with Fragment drops tonight at midnight on the official website.

You can now send your friends money on iMessage so there’s no excuse

You know those longstanding, unspeakable debts you owe to your friends? Or maybe you’re the fiscally responsible buddy of the squad and someone owes you bread.

Whatever the case may be, there are officially no more excuses when it comes to sending and receiving money from people you know. You can thank the geniuses over at Apple who are always thinking of ways to make life a bit easier.

However, Apple did announce the iOS 11, which is designed to “change everything — again,” as the great Steve Jobs would say.

On Monday June 5, the tech giant held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California. During the conference, several new software and hardware announcements were made (but no new info about the next iPhone).

While there is a slew of other great features that come along with the new mobile operating system, such as new Live Photos tricks, a redesigned control center, and a shiny new doc for iPad users, one of the key features that stood out the most has to do with cold hard cash.

iOS 11 users will now be able to send and receive money solely using the iMessage app.

The Verge’s Chris Welch writes,

Apple Pay is also expanding to include person-to-person payments, positioning Apple to take on Venmo and Square Cash. iOS 11 will introduce a Apple Pay Cash Card, where users will store their received funds from peer-to-peer transactions. This money can be transferred to your personal bank account.

In other words, you can kiss Venmo and Square goodbye (unless you’re that loyal to your favorite payment apps or unless you’re an Android user).

Remember that $20 entry fee you covered for your boy at that shitty bar you went to last week? Remember the time you somehow got stuck with the Uber bill because everyone pretended not to know how to split the ride?

You can kiss all of that bullshit goodbye, friends. Apple wants to make sure you get your fucking money back.

Thanks, Tim Cook. Mr. Jobs would be proud.

The $13 million Rolls-Royce Sweptail will inspire you to stop being lazy AF

Most of the people who out there who falsely claim not to care about “material items” (such as luxury cars, yachts, lavish estates, etc.) are just too lazy to work tirelessly for it.

Let’s face it, though — if you had the bank account to support your own wildest dreams, you wouldn’t blatantly bash other people’s. That’s a whole separate conversation for another time, though.

It’s time to stop dreaming and start winning. It’s time to stop being lazy as fuck.

Take some advice from Jay…

🙏 🙏

A post shared by Kulture Hub (@kulturehub) on

Need some more inspiration? The world’s most expensive car should do the trick. Behold, the Rolls-Royce Sweptail worth a staggering $13 million. I repeat this car is worth $13 MILLION.

That’s more than some well-off people’s net worth.

Rolls-Royce

Giles Taylor, Director of Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, spoke on this masterpiece, saying,

Sweptail is the automotive equivalent of Haute Couture. It is a Rolls-Royce designed and hand-tailored to fit a specific customer.

Taylor isn’t playing either.

Rolls-Royce

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail is made for just one person.

This customer came to the House of Rolls-Royce with an idea, shared in the creative process where we advised him on his cloth, and then we tailored that cloth to him. You might say we cut the cloth for the suit of clothes that he will be judged by.

In other words, not only are you going to need to work hard enough to be able to drop $13 Ms on a new Rolls, but you’re going to need to work hard enough for Rolls-Royce to even take you seriously enough to help you design your own model.

Rolls-Royce

As Lavar Ball would say, “you ain’t a big baller” if you can’t spend a couple of luxury penthouses on one car.

Peep the video clip above.

Internet roasts Kanye’s new Yeezys, calls them the ‘sex offender 8s’

It’s that time of year again. Kanye West is teasing yet another hunk of overpriced fabric designed to nestle your feet above the cold, frigid pavement while simultaneously shattering your bank account into a million pieces.

The only difference between his latest upcoming offering and the Powerphase Calabasas he debuted back in March is that the internet doesn’t seem to be as obsessed with these.

Why? Well, the answer to that is quite simple. Kanye’s new Yeezy 6 running shoe looks like a sneaker factory had a severe allergic reaction and threw up sneaker materials all over the place. They also look like a fake pair of Reeboks from decades ago.

The kicks were prematurely unveiled on the Internet after a photo of them hit Instagram and racked up nearly 10,000 likes in under an hour — and not for a good reason, either.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUxm9fsjrSe/

Another photo of Kanye wearing the unreleased Yeezy 6 kicks also hit the interwebs, prompting brutally honest reviews of them — because they aren’t lit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUxmyDHDMNy/

As a matter of fact, people are certain they are the complete opposite of “lit.” On one hip-hop website, a commenter referred to them as the “Sex Offender 8s.” Ouch.

HotNewHipHop

So, where’s the proof that most people think the new Yeezys are pure trash? Just scroll through your Twitter feed, my friend.

I’m sure Kanye wasn’t anticipating this response when designing his new Yeezy runner…


THE KIDS ARE NOT HAPPY, “BRO!”


Kanye? A genius? People are starting to wonder.


Seriously, though, what the fuck are those?!


The honesty is almost too much to handle.


At least Gage Griffin will save a few hundred dollars.

Tough crowd, right? But the truth is…

Side note: Don’t make sex offender jokes, kids. Not cool.

KITH and Adidas are dropping six new kicks this week and you not ready

Not only is KITH owner Ronny Fieg known for offering his loyal customers a quality retail experience in the heart of New York City, but also for his must-have brand collaborations in the sneaker world.

Let’s just say sneakerheads have no problem staying up late into the wee hours of the night staring at their Twitter timelines just waiting for the 35-year-old street style visionary to drop some fire.

Just a couple of days ago, Fieg did just that after taking to social media to unveil his latest collab with Adidas for the KITH Cobras and KITH Flamingos soccer teams.

https://twitter.com/RonnieFieg/status/868863591285313537

Yeah, KITH actually has its own soccer team, but what else did you expect from a brand with its own cereal bar just a few feet from where you can cop a fly fit? I rest my case.

The KITH x Adidas Cobra collection features not one, not two, but SIX new kicks: the Copa Mundial Tango Turf Trainer ($140), the Copa Mundial 17 Ultra Boost ($220), the Copa Mundial 17 Cleat ($300), the ACE Tango 17.1 Purecontrol Turf Trainer ($160), the ACE 16+ Purecontrol Ultra Boost ($220) and the ACE 17+ Cleat ($300).

Now, keep in mind, there are a few actual soccer cleats in this collection. So, if you’re a soccer player, those might come in handy. If you’re not, maybe you’ll fuck with the Tango trainers or the 17 Ultra Boosts.

KITH x Adidas Copa Mundial 17 Ultra Boost – $220

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUvMXSpgWXm/


KITH x Adidas Copa Mundial Tango Turf Trainer – $140

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUvMa_KgfOL/


KITH x Adidas Copa Mundial 17 Cleat – $300

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUvMeD1AzVj/


KITH x Adidas ACE 17+ Cleat – $300

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUwuplOguSj/


KITH x Adidas ACE Tango 17.1 Purecontrol Turf Trainer – $160

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUwuiqHASQo/


KITH x Adidas ACE 16+ Purecontrol Ultra Boost – $220

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUwuXyBAlx-/

At this point, I know what you’re thinking — when and where can you cop any one of these? That new-new will be available for purchase on Friday, June 2nd at KITH stores and KITH’s online store.

If you aren’t lucky enough to snag your favorite pair before they sell out, you can also sign up to win a pair via raffle here.

Diddy drops trailer for the official Bad Boy movie the only way Diddy can

The Billboard Music Awards showcased a series of special moments in music history.

No, I’m not just referring to Drake snagging just about every award the #BBMAs had to offer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUZfFPhBUvO/

Aside from Cher showing the world why she certainly deserves the Icon award, another special moment came when Sean “Diddy” Combs graced the stage to honor the Notorious B.I.G.

Dawning a swaggy hat, seemingly straight out of Pharrell’s extensive collection of dome protectors, the 47-year-old hip-hop mogul also took the time out to premiere the trailer for his upcoming film, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUYTVlkDoj9/

That’s right, Puffy’s dropping an official Bad Boy movie. I guess he’s just proceeding to give the world what it needs.

The film, directed by Daniel Kaufman, takes Bad Boy fans into the heart of the madness during prep time for the record label’s 20th-anniversary reunion tour.

Diddy took the stage to explain the premise of the movie, saying,

I knew this was a story that should be shared with the world. Heather Parry and Live Nation Productions, and Director Daniel Kaufman, helped create this very special documentary. Now I’m blessed to also be working with Apple Music to showcase the film and share Bad Boy’s history and impact with fans.

In other words, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for.

We don’t deserve this!

The support Live Nation, Apple Music and everyone on the team has given to this project is a true testament to the Bad Boy legacy.

Check out the film exclusively Apple Music on June 25.

Remembering Chinx: 7 of his best songs you need to bump

On May 17, 2015, Queens-born rapper Chinx, real name Lionel Pickens, was on his way home to his family when he was tragically gunned down in his hometown.

Pickens was 31 at the time of his death.

The NYPD believes the “Cocaine Riot” rapper had been targeted during the shooting which took place at Queens Boulevard and Main Street.

Chinx was sitting in his silver Porsche Panamera at a red light when a car pulled him behind him. The shooter walked right up to the car and fired a gun multiple times, killing Chinx.

Chinx, who was known for his lyrical dominance, colorful rhyme scheme, and authentic east coast presence, was also known for being a close protege to Bronx rapper French Montana.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUMk8-8FW5S/

Despite Chinx’s undeniable skills on the mic and a growing fanbase that was only getting bigger, there are still plenty of people out there who are unaware of how talented Chinx really was just before his life was cut short.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKZ1A3UBm6c/

In honor of the two-year anniversary of Chinx’s death, here are five of his most popular tracks that just might spark your curiosity as to what else his catalog has to offer.

“Dope House” featuring Jadakiss


“Feelings” featuring French Montana


“Bodies” featuring Bobby Shmurda and Rowdy Rebel


“Gon Lie” featuring Lil Durk and Zack


“Off The Rip” featuring Chinx and N.O.R.E.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXlAmRM_4yY


“On Your Body” featuring Meet Sims

https://soundcloud.com/eone-music/chinx-on-yo-body-ft-meet-sims


“I’m A Cokeboy” featuring French Montana

RIP Chinx.