Just wanted to say congratulations to Sabzi, Geo and Brian.  HO BU!

July 27th, 2009 - Blue Scholars partner with Duck Down Records for a modern day record deal! 

SEATTLE - Walking away from numerous record label offers, Blue Scholars will release several upcoming projects through a unique partnership formed with Duck Down Records, and Seattle’s Caffe Vita Coffee Co. 

On August 25, 2009 Blue Scholars will release “OOF!” their newest collaborative multi-media project and the first release to be distributed through their new venture. On September 1st, they will re-issue their 2007 album “Bayani”, which has already sold over 20,000 units. Bayani Redux will include one brand new track and two songs that were previously available only via digital retail outlets. There will also be a brand new full-length Blue Scholars album and other projects coming soon. 

The sales and distribution model developed by the group for their upcoming releases will allow them to maintain complete ownership of their music and total control over how it is marketed, sold, and even given away. 

Instead of signing a standard artist/record label deal, Blue Scholars hired the label Duck Down to run point on marketing for all of their upcoming releases. As a major player in the current and ever-changing record label industry, Duck Down Records saw this deal as an opportunity to get creative and experiment with strategies for record labels to continue evolving as viable businesses. 

Dru Ha, CEO of Duck Down Records states, “I believe Blue Scholars is positioned to be one of the next important groups, not just in hip hop, but in music worldwide, and I want Duck Down to be a part of that. They bring their progressive ideas not just to their music and lyrics, but also in the way they think about and do their business.” 

Duck Down’s current distribution partner, E1 Entertainment, the largest independent distributor in the United States, will handle distribution of Blue Scholars’ physical product. Digital sales and distribution will go through Tunecore. Direct-to-fan marketing and sales will be developed by the members of Blue Scholars themselves, using Topspin web marketing tools.

Says Geo, of Blue Scholars, “After weighing all the options, remaining independent is without question, the best look. Duck Down shares that vision and their track record speaks for itself. With them, we get that national and international push while still owning and controlling our music. ”

To finance all the upcoming projects, Blue Scholars have formed a strategic brand relationship with Seattle independent coffee company, Caffe Vita. The coffee company will also play a role in the sales and distribution plan by selling upcoming albums in all of their retail outlets and marketing the releases via their online presence. 

Blue Scholars DJ/ Producer Sabzi says in regard to their partnership with Caffe Vita - “their innovative marketing, their justice and equity in business practices, and their premiere quality of product and presentation, make Caffe Vita an ideal brand to partner with. I intend to do with our music what Vita does with their coffee.” 

“Coffee is both International and local, it effects the lives of millions, and it has tremendous ability to generate culture. We believe strongly in the work of the Blue Scholars and their power to look beyond the basic commodity that music has become. We are honored that Sabzi and Geo see that Vita is striving for the same goals.”Mike McConnell, founder Caffe Vita 

Blue Scholars have sold over 60,000 albums and played over 400 live shows. They have developed a dedicated following in the Northwest (selling over 4,000 tickets for each of their last few Seattle performances) and have shared the stage with an impressive list of nationally acclaimed artists such as Kanye West, Q-Tip, De La Soul, Immortal Technique, Hieroglyphics, GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Matisyahu, Zion-I, Flobots and the Coup. 

To learn more about Blue Scholars and download a free track off their upcoming OOF! EP in stores August 25th visit:WWW.BLUESCHOLARS.COM 

For more information on Blue Scholars’ partners visit:
Duck Down Records: WWW.DUCKDOWN.COM
Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Company: WWW.CAFEVITA.COM
Topspin Media: WWW.TOPSPINMEDIA.COM
Tunecore: WWW.TUNECORE.COM 

Through the years you meet great people that are always there with open arms.  Jerry and Marlon from Sneaktip are a couple of guys that has always been there at all the tradeshows helping with getting great accounts to check out our booths whether if its for Buying or Selling.  In4mation got a chance to design a tshirt for Sneaktip and we are happy to finally see it surface for the Summer 09 season.  Thanks again boys for the opportunity and see you guys soon in Vegas!

If you are within the thousands that shop on the Online Community Zozotown please give the Stless store a visit.  Summer 09 is almost gone and Fall 09 is almost here.

www.zozo.jp

In4mation x Swollen Members Tshirt that was released in 2007.(Designed by Ryan Anzures)

In4mation x Swollen Members Mass Appeal Advertisement Issue Number 47. Damn we miss that Magazine!

Making of new Video Pressure.  Frank Borin and crew gathering up the army for the new vid.

Final Vid!!! Thanks To Prevail, Madchild and Rob the Viking.  

Just wanted to leak a little out.  Here is a little peek of part 2 due out this Winter.

We would like to welcome Patrick Cook to the family.

Patrick Cook / Age: 27 / Born: Pontiac, Michigan / Currently Residing: Chinatown, NYC / Sponsors: Uprise Skateshop, AWH, Nike SB (Flow) and In4mation. Photo: 30 Pack

Got a email from a friend…Combination?

***HEADS UP IN SAN MATEO***

This Saturday at Atlas will be the opening reception of 3 Years In The Field, the Atlas x Alien Workshop art show and collaboration project. 3 Years In The Field will feature the photography of Greg Hunt and Joe Brook based on Alien Workshop’s Mind Field film. There will be two limited Atlas x Alien Workshop decks and T-shirt’s, limited to 50 per artist. 

Make sure to Say hello the the crew at Atlas! 

www.atlasskateboardstore.com

Running stores are not as easy as it looks.  When shipments come in you are forced to make a mess of the place just checking in items and making sure it all adds up and matches your invoice.  Its the same story everywhere you go and the find people of Commune in Manila will soon be stocking In4mation.  Julo and the crew were actually in Hawaii a couple months ago and left their little biz cards with our managers in the stores.  Shot a couple emails back and forth and now we are working together as if we knew each other for ages.  Julo…Taking a look at your photos on the blog reminds me the early days of Nike SB…When them avenger dunks came out it was released with 4 other styles and we only had 3 people working…Ryan, Keith and myself running the store and low and behold 38 boxes of Nike SB’s come in with an angry Mob waiting to buy them patent Avenger Dunks.  I think we checked in over 300 pairs of shoes in one hour and selling them to the patient people who waited for 5 hours outside for Fedex to show up.  It was all worth it and it brings back so much memories.  

Get your In4mation in Manila!!!!  PS…I know the GSHOCK watches are there and they should be releasing them real soon.

http://communemanila.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Julo!

The fine people of Kingdom in Stockton has opened a new door last week.  Read below:

Kingdom is a streetwear and lifestyle boutique that is an inspirational example of the meaning of persistence, spirit, and passion towards the industry. Of what just started as two individuals sharing their deep interest in sneakers is now beyond a sneaker collective with two store locations, all taking place in the span of a year-and-a-half. Anthony Pabros and Ray Chau turned from friends to business partners when they believed that their passion for sneakers and novelty streetwear apparel could potentially earn them income. With their vigor for the business, work and play became a blurred definition and helped with the triumph of their successes. Their evolution of selling their own collected and original apparel turned to solid relationships within the streetwear industry that gaveKingdom a home to a handful of recognized streetwear brands.

From their merchandising strategies, visual displays, web content and online storefront, to their store concepts, personal philosophies, and prospects, the Kingdom family is as diligent and particularly detailed in their brand and store as if there were blueprints for each thought process. Taking time in building the brand name, Kingdom continues to learn the ropes on the world of streetwear and merchandising. As new streetwear brands rush their practices, Kingdom has taken the opposite route to carefully plan each step, growing as a store first rather than a clothing brand to ensure that they provide quality to those they cater to. However, their patience is certainly paying off with the recent opening of their second location in the East Bay, and their first clothing release as a collaborative effort with Black Scale.

The brand’s name, alike how they came to form, connected unexpectedly together. For a while, it was a difficult process for Anthony and Ray to place a label on what they were specifically trying to accomplish. But with a sovereign feel mixed with the sole inspiration of how they’re trying to live, ‘Kingdom’ fitted to truly describe their lifestyle and the essence of the brand. Their new store location in Union City truly reflects this fundamental idea with a classier and modern interior and touches of industrialized furnishings. Their modern appeal at the new location accounts for Union City’s market for streetwear, but also pushes for a unique contemporary look compared to existing boutiques.

Staying limited with their selections, Kingdom currently holds accounts with a variety of streetwear brands including 10 Deep, Benny Gold, Black Scale, Crooks & Castles, Diamond Supply Co., DTA, In4mation, Married to the MOB, Rogue Status, Supra, Two in the Shirt, and Upper Playground. This upcoming holiday season, Kingdom will start to carry Huf for a strong West Coast presence. They will also be supporting local independent brands in the near future, and further branch their own brand with clothing collaborations. With competitive prices compared to current market values, the boutique holds affordable price points for their customers from $28-$150. Currently, their best selling and highly sought out product is their collaborative tee with Black Scale. Shopping is easy with Kingdom with two store locations in Stockton and Union City. They also accept phone orders and have an online storefront.

There is a novel ambience created within Kingdom’s walls that make them unlike neighboring boutiques. Their welcoming atmosphere and unbiased attitudes towards customers creates an appreciable and favorable shopping experience. This was easily shown during their Union City store opening last Saturday (06/27), as all ages, sexes, ethnicities, the knowledgeable, or new were present in their boutique. Kingdom is a home and treats its guests with a personal invitation mentality rather than a sales transaction.

Kingdom
2222 Grand Canal Blvd.#1A 
Stockton, CA 95207 
209-477-6671

3904 Smith St
Union City, CA 94587
510-952-9069

store hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm 

Article Written By: Charlene Haze Alcantara