I grew up 50 miles west of metro Boston in a city called Worcester, MA. Just to clarify, Worcester is not a suburb of Boston in the literal proximity sense, or in the “green grass & white picket fence” sense of the word. My hometown was the stereotypical urban experience that would either sharpen your sword and harden your armor – or break you down if it got the best of you.

Elementary school is when I began to take notice to what the older guys in my neighborhood were wearing. They became the bar and were clearly influenced by hip-hop culture, which was the native language of my 4-block radius. Inner city Boston was notoriously known for their loyalty to the trefoil and that radiated up the Mass Pike through friends, family or visits to the nearest “big” city.

The swoosh’s stronghold wasn’t fully developed yet and it was a common occurrence when an older brother or cousin would try to deter you (sometimes with threats and intimidation) away from anything that didn’t bear 3 diagonal stripes secured to its sides. My first memories of A-Dogs (a Boston term for adidas way back) were the obvious Superstar popularity of the early and mid-80s. As much as I appreciated the shell toe it really didn’t move me – I wore them but was one step outside of the age group that really wore them.

Like any northeastern city, there was a hustling and drug dealing culture that fueled the neighborhood’s fashion sense. Dealers were decked in the latest and greatest regardless of the price tag. The one shoe that was introduced to me as a direct result of this illegal fashion show was the adidas Forum, a basketball shoe that was applied to a street life uniform even when worn hanging out at the schoolyard courts.

One day, around 1990-91 (estimated – hard to know at this point) I noticed some hustlers wearing what seemed to be high Forums that were a tonal navy blue with a “crest” embroidery on the ankle and tongue. A small detail that might have went otherwise unnoticed by most people – but to me they epitomized hood luxury at an unheard of hundred some odd dollars at retail. I was instantly infatuated with the shoe, mostly for what this shoe represented – elevated status.

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adidas Originals Forum “Crest” HI are avialble 12/3 on BoylstonTradingCo.com

“Then we got the Ol’ Dirty Bastard, cuz they ain’t no father to his style, that’s why he the Ol’ Dirty Bastard” – Method Man

Let me start by saying that it’s easy to “like” something when millions support it. So yeah, you like the Wu currently, of course you do. In the beginning it was a journey to understand the madness.

I first was put onto the Wu-Tang Clan in 9th grade — around 1992. I first heard Protect Ya Neck off a local DJ’s white label (independently pressed record usually identified by it’s plain white label) he bought while in NYC. At first listen it was an organized mess with a chaotic sonic backdrop that served as a no topic free-for-all with each clan member sounding like they had separate points to prove. What was the point? I wasn’t sure at first but that became the point. Members had distinct personalities that were revealed in their rhyme style, tone, temperament and voice. Someone like GZA maintained a monotone chokehold on a track without raising his energy level above a Central Park chess match while Method Man was jumping out of his seat during his verse.

Everyone had a different preferred swordsman but no one can deny that the Ol’ Dirty Bastard commanded attention. Meth said that there wasn’t a paternal claim to Dirt’s rhyme style, hence the moniker, which was evident by his freestyle like rants that were only held together by his charisma. Did he always make sense? No. Did he stick out like a sore thumb during posse cuts? Hell yeah. But that’s what made him special. He was a bastard.

It made perfect sense for Method Man’s ‘Tical’ to be the first out the gate after the Clan’s grand entrance. Next up was Ol’ Dirty with his debut ‘Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ that was launched on the back of the broken piano loop’d single Brooklyn Zoo. The album felt as if the Rza understood that Dirt had to run lawless to get the best out of him but figured a way to filter the madness into a focused effort – his only focused effort. The album featured most of the clan and some affiliates and was truly a glimpse into the psyche of the drunken master.

What made Dirty special is what ultimately made him self-destruct. His genius was often over shadowed by a history of alcohol and drug abuse that helped him create a rap sheet as long as the list of Wu-affiliates. Over a dozen kids with multiple women, crashing the stage at the Grammys and coming to the aid of a little girl trapped after a car crash are some of the things highlighted in his legacy. Let’s not forget the most important factoids – he is one of the founding fathers of arguably the most important group in hip-hop history and his debut album is nothing short of a classic.

16 years after it’s release, ‘Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ will be re-released with commemorative limited edition packaging celebrating one of the brightest figures to ever grace rap music. Ol’ Dirty wasn’t just the clan’s resident live wire but was truly a one in a lifetime character who captured the attention of the world, one rant and incident at a time.

The album with extra goodies, including the infamous food stamp card featured on the original album art, will be released on Get On Down Records distributed by Traffic Entertainment on November 22nd.

Russell Jones | Rest In Peace

Not every interest from your youth survives the journey to maturity. From fashion to music—some things are best left on the battlefield. Other things continue to feel current and timeless no matter when you revisit.

My earliest personal memory of the Timberland 6” wheat boot is around 1993. I remember a conversation between 2 older kids with one scolding the other for wearing the “no padding” basic boot version.

“Come on son! No padding? That’s wack!”

I quickly realized that what seemed to be a subtle difference to the uninformed was an unforgivable half step. Half in the way that if you made the effort to purchase a pair of “Timbs” but didn’t know enough to choose the appropriate version, you should have just stayed away. It made you worse off.

For me, the meaning behind wearing the 10061 has varied over the years but the root of it was having “cool” footwear that could be worn (and beat to death) everyday without the adolescent stigma of not having multiple kicks on deck. It was a sign of being above the sneaker rat race.

Growing up on hip-hop music and culture had a tremendous influence on what I wore as a teen. As normal as wearing a pair of boots designed for construction work might be today, reappropriation of “work wear” was still new. My dad was a foreman in an excavation company and actually worked in what I was attempting to apply to my lifestyle. An alien concept to most—especially Pop who wished he didn’t have to work a back breaking job that required such attire. He couldn’t say anything to the kid who was entranced by the sounds of Black Moon and their Brooklyn boot-wearing cohorts. Buck Em’ Down.

Nearly 20 years after overhearing the “padding” argument, I’m still a faithful wearer of the most classic boot design ever. It’s still rooted in being above the sneaker rat race and not fully accepting the fashion parameters set by my industry. Do I indulge? Yes. Am I known for sneakers? Yes – even more the reason to rock a fresh pair of “yellows” on a regular basis.

My name is @FrankTheButcher and I rock #Timbs

Photo by: Evan Tetreault

Everything Kaws touches becomes collectable — that includes a bottle of Cognac.

Kaws One has partnered with Hennessy to produce a numbered run of bottles featuring labels designed by the street turned gallery artist. In his trademark bold and colorful style, Kaws gives the 246 year old company a new outfit.

Well done and a bit of a surprise — this collaboration is a testament to the reach and mass appeal Kaws has garnered over his legendary career.

Shouts to my people @TeamEpiphanyNyc

PS— I don’t drink so this bad boy will remain sealed!

Yes. They are real.

Dj Clark Kent has done it again. People waited to see what shoe he would apply his now famous “112″ make up to next. “112″ is the first 3 digits of Brooklyn’s area code series and represents Clark’s home & heart. For sneaker fans it means the perfect combination of charcoal, elephant print, neon, 3M and a rush to Ebay. For friends and family it means a special delivery once a year.

This year the “112″ didn’t hit the web alone but was accompanied by his denim version of the Lebron 8. Clark has mastered the denim, leather and gum combo on a few AF1 Bespokes and pulled it off lovely on the L8.

Both shoes will never hit retail and were produced for Lebron’s & Clark’s personal seeding lists.

Big shouts to Uncle Clark!

Another episode of “It’s the Cons”

Undefeated x Converse “Academy” — Navy leather & ballistic nylon.

And my summer favorite — the Straight Shooter in white. Been bragging about this one.

Pics by my guy Evan.

Russ Bengston is quickly becoming one of my favorite people in the sneaker industry. His knowledge extends beyond the current Google search that the modern day copy & paste “expert” builds his repertoire on. Russ has a real resume and an office full of proof.

Visited Russ’ office at Complex Magazine.

Russ is a real dude.

One of my favorites – Nike Air Revolution

Beard game on overtime.

Shouts to Brek.One and Billy Ohwrd for rolling.

Aloha Rag continues to do it right!

Converse JP x Aloha Rag.

Crack.

Shouts to my boy John @ Converse for the continued love.

Shouts to my boy Chris Lee for the custom Good Wood IPhone Cases.

Very dope!

Ok.

These are AMAZING.

As retro obsessed the sneaker head culture is, my love for sneakers was built on current models. This EQT Zero by Adidas brings me back to that early feeling of discovery and appreciation for new technology. Light, comfortable and they look great. All the ingredients for a happy Frank.

This shoe is a sleeper in every sense of the word. No major push, no major out cry BUT the people that know KNOW.

Big up all my friends at Adidas. Great job!