The reign of the Harlem Diplomats is without a doubt one of the most influential periods in modern hip-hop. The movement that officially started with family features on Camron’s ‘S.D.E.’ album turned into one of New York City’s most powerful crews. Dipset created a sound that transcended the borders of east coast rap with a style that fueled urban culture for the better half of the 2000s. Killa Cam’s unapologetic uptown crew, Jim Jones, Freaky Zeeky and Juelz Santana, evolved to be leaders in their own rights commanding offshoot rap groups while still reppin’ the eagle and still screaming Harlem.

To celebrate the legacy of the Diplomats, we put together a comprehensive mix spanning years of bandana wearing and flag waving. While there is no possible way to include every significant offering of their vast catalogue, we believe we compiled some of Dipset’s best music in this 100+ minute homage.

Enjoy

DIPSET DIPSET DIPSET DIPSET

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Tracklist

1 – Harlem Radio
2 – Dipset Butcher’s Blade Intro
3 – The Diplomats – I Really Mean It
4 – Juelz Santana – Okay Okay
5 – Jim Jones feat. Camron – Certified Gangsters
6 – Juelz Santana – Clockwork
7 – Camron – Wet Wipes
8 – Jim Jones feat. Max B – G’z Up
9 - ”Know a lot of beats, but I say no names” pt.1
10 – The Diplomats – Dipset Anthem
11 – Camron – Back By Popular Demand
12 – 40 Cal – Paid In Full
13 – Juelz Santana – Broken Language
14 – Vado – Large on the Streets
15 – Camron Juan Epstein interlude

16 – Camron feat. Juelz Santana & Jim Jones – Come Home With Me
17 – The Diplomats – I am Ready
18 – Camron – Killa Cam
19 – Jay Bezel Freestyle
20 – Freaky Zeeky Phone Call
21- Camron feat. Kanye West – Down and Out
22 – Byrd Gang – Purple City Byrd Gang
23 – Camron Press Conference interlude
24 – Camron feat. Jim Jones – Hate me Now
25 – Camron – Get’em Girls
26 – Camron – Show You How to Do This
27 – Juelz Santana – S.A.N.T.A.N.A
28 – The Diplomats – Bout it Bout it
29 – Camron Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito WKCR Freestyle
30 – Camron – Oh Boy
31 – The Diplomats – Crunk Musik
32 – Juelz Santana – Dipset (Santana’s Town)
33 – Camron feat. Jim Jones & Juelz Santana – More Gangsta Music
34 – The Diplomats – Salute
35 – Juelz Santana – Oh Yes
36 – Camron Feat. Jay Z – Welcome to New York City
37 – “Know a lot of beats, but I say no names” pt.2
38 – Jim Jones – Fly High
39 – JR Writer – Get’em
40 – Hell Rell Freestyle
41 – Juelz Santana – Mic Check
42 – Jim Jones – Baby Girl
43 – You Maaaaad interlude
44 – Camron feat Juelz Santana - Hey Ma
45 – Camron – That’s Me

Action Bronson is clearly a gifted lyricist, ex career chef and a curator of fine facial hair – but Bronson has a passion for fashion.

I directed a piece for Boylston Trading Co called ‘Action on Fashion’ that will premier next week.

Funny stuff.

Check it out HERE

Frankmatic radio is back!!

Frank The Butcher and Paul Mighty are back and brought along a gang of heaters with them. New music from Common, Maffew Ragazino, MOP, Action Bronson, The Roots, Quelle Chris, Gangrene, Kid Daytona and more.

GOOD MUSIC IS FRANKMATIC!

DOWNLOAD HERE

Track list:

Gangrene f. Prodigy – Dump Truck
Black Star – Fix up
Scram Jones – Wild side
LEP Bogus Boys f. Lupe Fiasco – Zombie Land
Action Bronson f. Mayhem Lauren, Maffew Ragazino and AG The Coroner
(Classic Joint) Pharaoh Monch f. MOP – Show No Mercy (Original sample intro)
MOP – No Mercy
Maffew Ragazino – Slangston Hughes
Roc Marciano – Emeralds
Common – Sweet
Push T f. Ab Liva and Odd Future – Ohh
Mobb Deep – Waterboarding
The Kid Daytona f. Action Bronson – Ivory Coast Crime Scene
Termanology f.Easy Money – Compared to you
Fat Joe – My Lord
Vado – NY Ride
Rick Ross – I Love My Bitches
Willie The Kid – Waste Not
Quelle Chris f. Danny Brown & Roc Maricano
The Roots – Make My f. Big K.R.I.T. & Dice Raw

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.

READ REST HERE

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

RSVP: www.superfunboston.eventbrite.com

Welcome to the Boylston Trading Company. We are a premium men’s retailer, based in Boston and represented online, with editorial support. Boylston is named for the street we are on, and trading represents the shop. And also, more importantly, the “trading”of ideas. You might ask, “What makes you different than the pack?” – I believe the answer is: the people behind BTC.

I’ve have never worked with a team that is more dedicated, passionate and focused on doing the right thing than my present crew. “Doing the right thing” seems kind of vague; so let me explain it a bit.

Time is a valuable commodity that can’t be bought back when lost. We’ve all heard the old adage ‘time is money’ and it is in most cases accurate. What we at Boylston Trading Co. don’t buy into is the cutting of valuable corners. Corners are what define our shape—without these definitive angles, we become shapeless and run of the mill. My team will continue to invest time into doing things the right way. That’s what makes us different and what will help us maintain our form.

When we buy, time is invested in choosing the appropriate pieces and finding the right brands. When we shoot, we make sure the quality of our photo assets is well above par. When we create layouts, we make sure to communicate what’s important. When we collaborate, well, you know the deal.

Simply put, Boylston Trading Co. will showcase what and who we believe in. Whether it’s a new or a trusted brand, a talented photographer or a great designer – known or unknown – if there is a proper level of integrity to the work and we as a team feel it, it’s a go.

All in all, we hope that we can fill a void in retail with something fresh, interesting and exciting. This is day one of that journey.

Special thanks to Jei, Billy, Evan and Jessup for the non stop work ethic that has paid off.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know what you think.

Enough of the yapping— let’s get to it. HERE.

Frank “The Butcher” Rivera
Creative Director
Boylston Trading Company

To say that Run-DMC changed the game is a bit broad. First you need to identity the sport. Is it hip-hop? Or better yet, music in general? Is it Fashion? Is it the sneaker industry? All of the above.

Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay hailed from the Hollis section of Queens NY and took the world by storm. They became the global ambassadors for not only rap music but also for introducing a style of fashion that began as their neighborhood uniform and made it a universal staple.

The Adidas Superstar was originally released in 1969 but it wasn’t until Run-DMC released the ‘My Adidas / Peter Piper’ 12” single in 1986 that there was an official connection between footwear sales and inner city popularity. Legend has it that some Adidas executives were invited to a Run-DMC concert at Madison Square Garden and witnessed a sea of kids lift their unlaced Shell Toe’s in unison on command.

The rest is history.

Adidas has released a limited edition Superstar 80 in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Run-DMC classic ‘My Adidas’.

The shoe features Run-DMC logos, “1986” embroidered on the heal, 3m reflective stripes, premium leather and a tribute to the late great Jam Master Jay on the back tab.

An amazing shoe and an even more amazing tribute.

Thanks Adidas.

Time for another episode of “It’s the Cons”.

The Straight Shooter canvas low was my go to shoe this summer and now it returns in dope suedes. Super clean and simple. A win.

The real story is how crazy these Straight Shooter highs are! Nice leather, a canvas cut-out and toe cap with an extended rubber side section that reinforces the toe stress point. Almost Visvim-esque but super light and affordable.

Could be my favorite First Strings so far. Dropping this month in black and maroon.

Shout to Big John, IG and Sleeper Cell.

Photos by Even

Let’s just face it. Music will never be what it was, but I don’t necessarily attribute that to what’s being released currently. I believe that with age you develop an experienced ear that knows what it likes. Does that mean you can’t like current tunes? Not at all. I dig contemporary rap. I just like what I like. When listening to a new artist I automatically pull out the yardstick and measure it against the gold medalist in whatever relevant category. Probably not the best thing to do.

When I first heard of Maffew Ragazino Sr. it was on a stern recommendation from DJ Clark Kent. Anyone that calls Clark a friend understands the pressure of his recommendation. It weighs a ton. Now Clark hails from Brooklyn, which is the same borough that has nurtured the lyricist Maff so off jump the scale was tipped. The difference between supporting an artist from home and celebrating the work of one of the best currently is the factor in which makes your word worth its weight.

Ragazino’s debut effort “Rhymes Pays” is a showcase in bare-knuckle word play without sacrificing production selections. It is rare when the quality of the words and beats line up. It’s that simple – and when they do, magic. Maff is a rare breed of emcee that channel the golden age without sounding dated. Be clear, he is not a throw back rapper who relies on 90’s mojo and haircuts to stand out. Maff is a beast living in 2011 that could hang with your 90’s fav but mangle your man who is on the front page on Nah Right today.

With all that said– ‘Rhyme Pays’ is an amazing debut that has Ragazino on the way to defining what NYC hip-hop once stood for and it’s unapologetic in its delivery.

On a side note – The Butcher’s Block own Paul Mighty mastered the album and took something that was amazing and made it that much more special.

Shouts to Maff, Sha & Paul.

Download Maffew Ragazino’s ‘Rhymes Pays’ HERE