Constructed of 100% Wool Atlanta based brand Honor Roll Clothing Group is back with one of the season’s best Letterman Jackets. A slimmer fit and multiple jacket applications make this a coat you can definitely dress up or down. Even with the additions, there is still plenty of space to add your own patches and buttons to truly make this piece personal to you. If you like the jacket make sure you Tweet the HRCG team to let them know, and while you’re at it, tell them you appreciate the free shipping that comes with this jacket as well. Purchase either colorway (black on black or purple) via the Honor Roll Clothing Group online store today ($150 USD).

Yes, you read that heading correctly and yes I understand that HATE is a strong word but in this context–at least for me–it’s a perfect fit.

I absolutely HATE sneakers that come attached with the empty celebratory indicator of “BLACK HISTORY MONTH“. I’m probably one of the only people in the world that care either way but I don’t mind if I’m alone on this one–BHM sneaker collections are an overt attempt for companies like Nike to snake charm more money out of your pocket. Nothing more, nothing less. And this year’s collection is one for the ages.

“Is that simulated Kente cloth on your KDs?”

“Why yes it is. Thanks for noticing.”

Give me a break! Remember when I aired my disagreements about that truth1585 campaign spearheaded by Jeff Staple? If not, here is a short summary: I applauded the effort but poo-pooed the execution. Also, I found it ironic that they’d select the weed happy streetwear community as the demographic charged with helping spread the anti-BIG TOBACCO message. But sheeeit, even still–at least there was SOME attempt at promoting goodwill and the greater good.

Other than padding their already deep coffers, why the hell does Nike feel the need to run this game on an annual basis? In my opinion, it’s nothing more than a semi-clever marketing ploy (“See, we LOVES us some black people!”) to appear–actually, now that I’ve mentioned it, I don’t know what Nike is trying to accomplish by releasing these every year.

Are they looking to score brownie points with the black community? If that’s the case it would seem to be a pointless exercise as you see, we of the African American persuasion have a certain fondness for all things SWOOSH. And that’s not to say that the purchasing power of the black delegation is the only thing keeping Nike afloat–’cause that’s far from the truth– rather that they don’t need to butter us up is all. We’ll keep buying Jordan’s so long as you don’t slap our Mom in the face too hard…

So my next question was: are they doing this to appease their Black signature athletes? And if so, why don’t ALL of their African American athletes with signature shoes get their own BHM pair as well. Is Nike trying to imply that CP3s aren’t black enough? All I know is that if ANYONE deserves a BHM shoe at Nike I’d probably have to go with Serena Williams if for no reason other than that magnificent wagon she’s draggin’ her ground breaking contributions to the sport of women’s tennis. But alas, shoes endorsed by female athletes just don’t sell sneakers as well as their male counterparts so unlike Kobe Bryant & Lebron James, she’ll have to show appreciation for her “Blackness” some other way.

There is also a small part of me that wants to smack Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Lebron James upside the head a la’ that Chris Rock skit from his old television show:

But then I came back down to reality. These guys aren’t political advocates–they’re basketball players. I can’t possibly expect these dudes to risk biting the hand that helps feed them (especially Kobe aka Mr. BitchYouWasntWithMeShootingInTheGym) by asking for Nike to do more. Imagine Bron Bron walking into Phil Knight’s office wagging his finger in Mutombo-like glory while saying with clenched teeth, “There had better be a tie-in to some urban youth programs or so help me God…”

But allow me to step away from the podium for a minute and speak on the sneakers themselves. I think that the 2012 collection is probably Nike’s best to date. They’re gorgeous shoes that, if it were not for the title attached to them, I could see myself wearing. While Kobe’s seventh sneaker iteration has only evoked a passing glance from me thus far, the BHM pair is strikingly beautiful. Same with the KD joints. In fact, I’d say that the KD’s are the best of the trio.

It’s too bad Nike didn’t decide to fully flex their resources by trying to partner with some company that supports the upward mobility of black folks around the Nation. Or maybe they could have taken a “The More You Know” Public Service Announcement approach and introduced us to some African Americans (other than Jackie Robinson and Jessie Owens) that have achieved greatness in the athletic arena via a series of online videos or mini-documentaries. I mean, with a company as ubiquitous and influential as Nike, you’d think they could draw up more noise about this than some press releases and high res photos, right?

But maybe that has more to say about US than it does Nike. If we (as African Americans) at least pretended to give a damn, maybe Nike would do something special like fix up some athletic facilities at Historically Black Colleges or spearhead an effort that helps black kids in rural areas get better athletic equipment. I would welcome almost ANYTHING other than what they’re doing now. Which is nothing but sell more shoes…if you haven’t caught on by now.

Overall I love how the shoes look, I just HATE the way they’re being peddled. Shame on Nike for not being able to think outside the literal shoebox.

P.S. – These shoes don’t actually release until February 11th so just in case Nike does announce some partnership or program support of some kind in association with Black History Month, I will gladly reconsider my position on the matter.

Today, Los Angeles headwear providers-turned full fledged streetwear brand Hall of Fame has dropped their second delivery of their popular “Upside Downs” snapbacks, created by Mitchell & Ness. I’m still as much a fan of these as I was the first go ’round. The simplicity in this idea makes it easily one of the most genius product refreshes in a long while. Consisting of the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Washington Bullets and Philidelphia 76ers you can purchase these caps ($40 USD) either at their physical location or online.

German based streetwear blog Sucker4Clothes has just updated their website and online store with a fresh new theme and layout. In celebration of this event, Oliver Winkler, the man behind the digital brand has just released three new the shirts in preparation for the Spring. The designs include three different releases, the USoC (United States of Capitalism), Horus and lastly the SUCKER shirt. If you’re interested in supporting Oliver by purchasing a tee, you can do so via the brand spanking new SIVC online shop.

It’s crazy. Some of the people I admire the most are people that I’ve never actually met or even spoken to in real life. Ed the Oklahoman behind the always wonderful online publication “The Sports Fan Journal” just happens to be one of those people to which I am referring. Never been to The SFJ or his old site Ed the Sports Fan? Well let me summarize it this way: if H1GHER LEARNING had more than one writer and spoke about sports instead of streewear, it’d probably be something like The SFJ.

Ed and his crew can count me a subscriber to their site because A) they write about sports and B) they have more to say than just empty paragraphs full of “Did you see that dunk!?!” commentary. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always full of passion and well written, Ed’s work is more than worth the read. Being that he’s so busy, I was very appreciative that he’d agree to a short interview session with me. And what better way to conduct an interview with such multitasking extraordinaire then via Instant Messaging? His grind is remarkable and his growing list of responsibilities and accolades makes me want to become a better writer, nay, a better person! haha

(seriously)

I’m proud to present the third and most recent interview in the H1GHER LEARNING online interview series featuring none other than Eddie Maisonet of The Sports Fan Journal. Read up to see how he got started writing about sports, his views on Tim Tebow, and to soak up with sage advice he drops for anyone trying to make a career out of blogging.

*Log On*

Fair warning, I haven’t heard the ENTIRE mixtape yet but if it’s anything like the tracks I’ve already sampled, I’m sure I’ll dig it. I’m a fan of these New York cats adopting my Southern swagger and making it their own although I wouldn’t fault anyone that hated VinnyCha$e and the like (ahem, A$AP) for the same reasons.

The way I see it, this new generation of hip-hop artist–regardless of where they’re from–have grown up in a time in which my beloved region of the United States has been dominating the rap game for a strong 12-15 years now. So in addition to the sprinkle of New York hip-hop people like Vinny Cha$e have grown up on, I believe that they were equally if not MORE influenced by Southern artist like Master P, Cash Money, Lil John, UGK, Mike Jones, T.I., Outkast, Three 6 Mafia, et al. Yeah dudes up North were rocking gold in their mouth back in the day (even Jay-Z) but for them, that was merely a fad. For those raised below the Mason-Dixon, it’s a way of life. For some strange reason, we Southerners have a weird infatuation with grills of all kind–in our mouths, on our cars, and at tailgates–I couldn’t explain it even if you wanted me to.

Anyway, it seems to me that Vinny has simply absorbed what has been popular damn near his entire life, decided to put his New York twist on it, and release it for the world to see. Blog comments be damned. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what personal style is about?

Speaking of style, I see VC rockin’ that +FRESH.i.AM+ snapback! ATL stand up, indeed.

DOWNLOAD: Vinny Cha$e – SURVIVAL OF THE $WAG.

P.S. - Am I the only person tired of hearing the word “SWAG” or is that just me?

P.S.S. - It’s probably just me.

A couple days ago I stumbled upon this collective creative group based out of the UK called toomuchposse! (London to be specific). There inspirations range from Jamaican dub to graffiti and their clothing certainly reflects such diverse interest and taste. I have no clue exactly how popular their gear is or how many pieces they produce but almost everything is sold out–so they must be doing something right across the pond.

Everything on the toomuchposse! site is done with a minimal aesthetic & their clothing follows suit in that regard. Because this cultivated technique is found on all aspects of their brand, I’m ok with the fact that they used Champion sweats as the backdrop for their graphics. Besides, nobody seem to trip when Hall of Fame used Champion blanks so if it’s good for them it’s good enough for TMP, right? The crewnecks go for £65.00 and the hoodies for £75.00 and both are available via the toomuchposse! website. Bit much when you convert from the Pound and take into consideration the shipping cost but these are still dope nonetheless.

It just so happens that today of all days I decided to redeem my quarterly “Watch BET for 5 minutes” coupon and stumbled upon this guy. Luke James is from New Orleans and is signed to Def Jam–not unlike the man that opened me up to tolerating R&B music, Frank Ocean. Other than those two facts, I know nothing else about Luke or his music but this one song made me a believer. I don’t know if any of y’all are anti-R&B either but trust me, if I say I like a singer, you can bet your bottom dollar that buddy is going to have skills! Also, he looks like a bigger/more buff version of Rajon Rondo–or is that just me?