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LA’s Finest in Rock & Roll History
The results are in! NWA will be inducted into 2016′s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with Cheap Trick, Steve Miller, Deep Purple and Chicago. NWA brought a new sound and honest message to the rap game and music industry that was all their own. Coming “straight outta Compton,” ABC News reports that the West Coast hip hop group has sold over one hundred million records over the last 29 years. The induction ceremony will go down on April 8 at the Barclays Center in New York City.
To Otis
On December 10, 1967, we lost the voice of an original soul brother, Otis Redding. In celebration of his life, we wanted to remind you of his classic sound through this quick list of tasty hip hop tracks that sample from his work.
You’re welcome
1. The Food - Common feat. Kanye West
2. Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ - Wu-Tang Clan
3. Eye Know - De La Soul
4. Check the Resume - Grand Puba
5. Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children - Queen Latifah
6. Wu-Tang: The 7th Chamber - Wu-Tang Clan
And of course we can’t forget the instant classic and genius sample
7. Otis - Jay-Z and Kanye West
To accept one’s past – one’s history – is not the same thing as drowning in it; it is learning how to use it. An invented past can never be used; it cracks and crumbles under the pressures of life like clay in a season of drought.
James Baldwin
On the anniversary of James Baldwin’s death, we would like to honor the literary genius for his bold and fearless spirit. Baldwin was a pioneer, using his own life experiences and imagination to blaze new trails with his words, reflecting the community in which he came from. With unabashed honesty, he informed White America about the harsh reality of the Black experience in the U.S. and created a space for those living in the margins to be heard through novels like Giovanni’s Room, exploring what was considered to be “taboo” - topics of homosexuality and interracial relationships. Though he grew up in a time much different from our current generation, his words still sting with truth and maintain an essential relevance.
Mr. Baldwin’s work was truly a labor of love. He sought to connect us, forcing us to read and understand each other’s experiences and realize that we aren’t so different after all.
I'm a really big fan of your clothing line. I wanted to know if you guys have considered a retro or vintage line. Like a remake of everything from the 90s. I have a few pieces of #CrossColours clothing but the old school color block tees is really what I'm looking for. I hope you will consider this !
We just released two of our OG re-issues - there will be more don’t worry!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM CROSS COLOURS
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USE CODE THXCXC AT CHECKOUT
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Lupe the Great
Before October comes to an end, we want to give a shout out to Lupe Fiasco for the relevant and necessary work he’s doing.
This month, Fiasco is continuing to give Hip Hop a good name with his latest creation, the Neighborhood Start Fund – a non-profit that he’s co-founded with Waze director, Di-Ann Eisnor.
The Neighborhood Start Fund seeks to create access and provide funding for entrepreneurs coming out of underserved communities. The organization will focus on a specific neighborhoods, accepting submissions from residents with creative business ideas. Their first project has been launched in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The Brownsville finalists will then be selected participate in a live competition, pitching their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to receive $5,000 to fund their prototype in addition to mentorship, workshops and more. The NPO’s first competition will take place on November 13, 2015.
Check it out for yourself! Visit http://www.start.fund
Kanye Dizzy for President
Today is the Bebop pioneering, trumpet-playing, jazz musician extraordinaire John Birks’s birthday. The man better known as Dizzy Gillespie, so indicative of his intricately colorful musical style, Birks’s personality was notorious for being as playful and expressive as his music. But in 1964 one of his tricky antics ended up developing into a legitimate campaign for presidency.
In the early 60’s, Gillespie’s booking agency made “Dizzy for President” buttons for what started as an effort to fundraise for CORE (Congress for Racial Equality), SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) and other civil rights related projects under Martin Luther King. But fans and followers of Dizzy’s work took what was considered a publicity stunt or “practical joke” to heart and helped create a campaign for the artist.
Seeing potential in an actual attempt to run, Dizzy too realized the significance of someone like a Black jazzman becoming president and began mapping out his plan of action. While some of his projections sounded like a dope, jazzy fantasy, like making Miles Davis head of the CIA, Duke Ellington Secretary of State and Louis Armstrong the Minister of Agriculture, he also had poignantly relevant ideas in his plan of action. Dizzy called for an end to the war in Vietnam, fair hiring practices for equal employment and free education and health care for all.
Today we celebrate Dizzy!
(P.S. No diss to Kanye’s claims to run. We just want yall to know he wasn’t the first to do it.)
Paying homage to our predecessors.
The Most Wicked Party LA
On October 22nd, the movement known as Afropunk, with it’s strong presence in the Brooklyn, New York area due to their yearly festival with an always appetizing lineup of diverse artists, will be bringing their kickass vibes to Los Angeles for an event they’ve dubbed “The Most Wicked Party.” In addition to live music performances by the likes of Mykki Blanco, Le1f, Samarai Shotgun and Letlive, there will also be a live art set by graffiti artist Ewok MSK. And the party is determined to satisfy all of your senses with a tasty menu provided created by Dante Fried Chicken.
For information about the event’s secret location and admission, rsvp here: http://lawickedparty.splashthat.com
Some throwback magic is coming your way - get ready for OG re-isses
To the Moon
“The women did what they were told to do,” she explained. “They didn’t ask questions or take the task any further. I asked questions; I wanted to know why. They got used to me asking questions and being the only woman there.”
Katherine G. Johnson is a mathematician and physicist who spent her career calculating and drawing out the infinite depth of the cosmos - her position was literally known as a “computer.”
Here’s why she’s a boss:
She attended West Virginia State University at 15 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and French at 18.
During her career at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (which became "NASA" in 1958) she was temporarily assigned to an all-male flight research team. Due to her skill set and invaluable contributions, her “temporary” position became a permanent one leading her to be appointed for momentous projects.
At NACA, she calculated the trajectory of the astronauts' flight into space.
In 1959, her work ensured the successful flight of the first American into space.
Johnson says she’s most proud of her success in the Apollo mission, in which she calculated the flight that landed the first human on the moon in 1969.
Her discernment and confidence, despite the challenging social position of an African American woman working in the 1950′s, led her to assert herself and gain access to previously all-male briefings and editorial meetings. In proving herself through stellar performance, these male dominated sectors grew to rely on her abilities. When machine operated “computers” began replacing the human ones, Ms. Johnson was chosen to evaluate the technology’s accuracy.
And despite Katherine G. Johnson’s pioneering lifestyle, she expresses these triumphs with an effortless ease.
Today we celebrate the birth and 97 years of a true “Boss Lady”!
Spizike
Happy Birthday to a true trendsetter - Spike Lee.
A trend refers to the direction in which something develops or changes.
Spike Lee has been a trailblazer in film, setting a new tone and precedent with the creation of unique and unrepeatable Black narratives through a timeless repertoire of provocative films that have sparked necessary dialogue around taboo and often neglected topics of race, politics and sex through popular culture in a fashion that’s been all his own. Using vivid color, stimulating imagery and powerful, eccentric characters, Spike Lee's style is unmatched.
Let us reminisce over some of Spike's classic work and characters.
She's Gotta Have It (1986)
Nola Darling gave audiences a healthy, raw image of a dope young woman unafraid to express her sexuality and assert herself in her romantic encounters with the men in her life. One of Nola's love interests, Mars Blackmon (played by Spike Lee), later became a style icon in the popular Nike Air Jordan ads.
School Daze (1988)
From the long standing beef of “light skin vs. dark skin” and hair texture to the divisions on campuses among Black students in fraternities and sororities, this film tackled many of the issues in the young Black community that hadn't been analyzed in the fresh way that Spike did it. As always, he infused the political climate of the real world through the student demonstrations and activism around South Africa's fight to end apartheid in the film.
Do The Right Thing (1989)
Radio Raheem danced to the beat of his own drum… or should we say he stormed down the blocks and avenues of “Do or Die Bed Stuy” to Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" anthem in Spike's hit film Do The Right Thing. As you can see, his style matched his bold attitude, rockin his infamous golden plated "LOVE/HATE" knuckle rings. His story, a young and strong spirit being snuffed by crooked police, is an all too familiar reality that is still just as relevant today as it was when the movie was released.
And don't forget Buggin Out who echoed the common teenage angst of keepin your fresh new kicks clean! The famous scene of him losing his cool when the aloof sucka down the street scuffs his new Air Jordans epitomizes his wild character.
Demanding that Sal of the popular neighborhood pizzeria hang pictures of Black stars on his restaurant wall along with the famed Italians, Buggin Out was also a reflection of the young students in the real world who were fighting to see themselves represented in their education through Ethnic Studies across the country at this time.
A Tribe Called Quest titled the second track off their classic album, The Low End Theory (1991) "Buggin Out" - a reference to the boisterously unique character.
Spike has always utilized his platform to make a bold statement. His message can be heard through the blaring voices of his characters but if you look closely, it's all in his intricate detail.
Complex magazine covered rapper Nas in 2012, taking inspiration from the classic scene in Do The Right Thing of the three old men bustin each others chops in front of the fiery brick wall.
"Best on Mars" - Michael Jordan commercial series (1990's)
Through the quirky character of Mars Blackmon (in collaboration with Michael Jordan of course), Spike Lee created a signature 80's/90's look with his thick-rimmed black specs, Brooklyn biker cap and Jordan apparel that continues to influence younger generations years later.
Check out Chris Brown in his "Look At Me Now" video in 2011.
Peep some of the original commercials.
Yes, Spike Lee got Little Richard to feature in an Air Jordan ad like a boss.
One more for your viewing pleasure…
Blake Griffin channeled his inner Spike as "Mars Blakemon" to pump NFL prospect Jordan Cameron with this promo video in 2011.
Malcolm X (1992)
Do we really need to explain this one? With the help of an amazing performance from a copper-haired, debonair Denzel Washington, Spike Lee captured the life one of America's most poignant and controversial voices through his film, Malcolm X.
Making Fashion Statements Too!
Remember those fresh “X” caps he made so popular?
He Got Game (1998)
Spike shed light on the pipe dream sold to young Black men coming out of the inner city pursuing a career in hoop, their struggle through manhood, sexuality and staying true to oneself along the way.
The film featured young stars Ray Allen, Rosario Dawson, Hill Harper and Denzel Washington.
Paying homage to the life of a living legend, Spike Lee.
Happy Independence Day!
As Ghana celebrates their 58th anniversary of independence today, we thought we’d school you a bit on the history behind the country’s flag.
Flags, in the same way that clothes and style serve an individual, stand as an all-encompassing statement for a nation.
Even if you couldn’t locate Ghana on a map (it’s in West Africa), chances are you would visually connect with its flag. The red, yellow and green color scheme has proved to be a timeless combination that continues to inspire design. It did for Cross Colours!
Origins
(The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was inspired by Carter G. Woodson’s influential book, The Miseducation of the Negro.)
As Black History Month comes to a close, we’d like to shed some light on Dr. Carter G. Woodson and his life’s work to recognize Black history not as an afterthought or sub-genre but an integral part of America’s past and present.
First, let’s point out that Mr. Woodson received his PhD from Harvard University in 1912. He was only the second Black man to do so after the esteemed Dr. W.E.B. DuBois.