This Reverse Shattered Backboard Air Jordan 1s Are Going For $146,000!

Posted by & filed under Sneakers.

Credit: Freaky_Blink

First thing’s first. Who would’ve thought a factory defect would go for a price this astronomically high? Secondly, it’s a miracle on it’s own these passed inspection at the factory, but then again, without the slack in QC, we wouldn’t be able to have a look at a unique pair of Jordan’s.

It was another normal day for Andrea Canzini, who just landed a purchase on the Air Jordan 1 “Reverse Shattered Backboard,” not really expecting anything else apart from just that, until one side of the pair contained an upside-down Swoosh. What’s even more surprising however, is that there are no noticeable defects on the shoe.

There was another case of this happening with a previous release, the “Gold Toe.” Same exact defect, but selling for a slightly lower price of $96,000. Yikes.

Credit: Freaky_Blink

All things considered, where else are you going to get factory quality shoes with a defect like this? It’s practically one-of-one. Although, for an equivalent price, you could buy yourself a brand new Mercedes AMG GTS. Decisions, decisions.

For more Air Jordan news, the Air Jordan 5 “Fresh Prince” is releasing soon.

Best Singles Of 2018 That You Need To Listen To

Posted by & filed under Music.

Written by Zaaim Hariz

Credits and compliments are due, for 2018 has been such an uplifting year for Malaysian music scene. We’re fortunate to have grown as fans along with the artists as they climbed their way to the top of the charts and people’s trending pages with their memorable songs. This year was even more groundbreaking as there are countless amount of platforms for artists to showcase their amazing rhythm and blues – most notably 16 Baris for the masses of Hip-Hop/R&B  and this year’s Good Vibes Festival with their impressive local line-ups. There are still three months to go for what it seems to be the best year for our music scene but we decided to round up the best of the bests as of now. From the likes of the legendary Aman Ra to R&B songstress LUNADIRA, here is our seven pick for the best singles of 2018 that you don’t wanna miss out..

Yung Raja – Mustafa

All eyes are on Yung Raja because he has definitely took the scene by surprise. Born and raised in Singapore, the new Kartel Records signee shows that he’s not messing about with his massive hit “Mustafa”. You’re Looking at a star, the single tells us on how his rap game will always be for the people and not just himself.

Airliftz – Call Me When It’s Over (feat. I-SKY)

Airliftz is here to stay with his single “Call Me When it’s Over”. Fresh off from the success of his debut EP titled Bagel, the talented rapper/producer decided to take a different approach with a love letter and set it into a beautiful upbeat of a love song. With the assist from I – SKY, this track is a certified bop.

Luna.dira – Stuck With You

2018 is definitely a year to remember for LUNADIRA. With the breakthrough of her single “Stuck With You”, the songstress has definitely made a track that will stick with you and your playlist for as long as it wants to. This track perfectly captured a love story that fills with never-ending intimation and heartbreaks, focused on the ambiguity of feelings post-breakup. We’ve all been there. Time to remind ourselves again of the pain and heartache. If you want more of her, check out her Borak Borak Sessions  with us!

Aman Ra – Bangun

Hustle Demi Hasil. This is what Aman Ra is all about. With his notable status in the Malaysian hip-hop scene, his single “BANGUN” brings us back to his roots, with the rapper issuing a call to action to seize the day, and do whatever it takes to be whatever it takes, including himself. Great song to start the day to!

Kyoto Protocol – Delta Wing

One of Malaysia’s best indie rock bands has yet again rocked the scene with a new bop, “Delta Wing”. Debuting the song at last year’s Urbanscapes, Delta Wing entails us a story of love akin to flying in a fighter jet, with Fuad detailing his experience with the feeling. We were approaching speeds of “Mach 2, Sonic boom, Slicing the sky” foreshadows the rush of emotions during the relationship, which then tapers down to “If you asked me forever, well we gave it a try
But we’re on our way down.” All good things come to an end, which definitely hooks you on as you conjure up your own iteration by stitching memories from a past using the melody that Fuad and Co have produced.

Zamaera – Still Callin

We still couldn’t get off with the buzz of her new song “Z vs. Z” but her first single of the year “Still Callin” has us remembering that things are just getting started for Zamaera. Keeping it true to what hip-hop is about while being aggressive yet rhythmic, the so-called ‘Nicki Minaj’ of Malaysia calls out every of her fake friends, announcing that she’s hungry for more success and won’t back down.

Dangerdisko – Free

We have seen a surge of producers and DJs that came into play to showcase their amazing talent and for Dangerdisko, the track “Free” has definitely caught us moving at the dance floor. With the perfect addition of Q Sound’s R&B vocals, “Free” brings a simplicity to dance music that has long past us in the realm of electronic dance music that’s refreshing to hear, and easy to get down to. A must add to anyone’s playlist.

 

 

The Off-White Nike Air Jordan 1 “UNC” Finally Drops

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UNC, Chicago, Or The All-Whites?

Fresh from the Air Jordan “Pine Green” and “Court Purple” drops, The Swoosh drops another bank bomb. The “UNC” colourway is a pretty one, riling up the audience as the third iteration of the highly coveted Off-White collaborations had a supposed scheduled release date last June in Malaysia, but was postponed indefinitely due to unknown reasons. Regardless of whether the hype has died down or not, the “UNC”s are here, and Malaysians now will finally get a chance to cop (Though it seems very unlikely).

For those who don’t know, the University Of North Carolina colourway pays homage to Michael Jordan’s collegiate alma mater, and implanted with Virgil Abloh’s concept of ‘The Ten,’ featuring a deconstructed look that peels away to reveal hidden details in the shoe, creating a vintage vibe without actually sacrificing quality. The Air Jordan 1 Off-White “UNC” releases on 26 September on Nike.com for about RM785. Better hope Nike doesn’t screw up your cart.

Vans Vision Walk: A Day With Annatasha Saifol

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Less Is More

I didn’t really know what to expect for this iteration of Vision Walk after arriving at 2, Hang Kasturi for the 2nd day of House Of Vans. For one, I appropriate skate culture without learning how to skate, dressed in a slightly oversized Gosha Rubchinsky DSM shirt, worn out jeans and a pair of Padin’s, so it’s safe to say I had no idea what was what.

With a group of skateboarders loitering in front of the MyNews, an overcast Kuala Lumpur greeted us into the venue before meeting up with today’s lecturer on photography, Annatasha Saifol.

Cheery, is what strikes a person most during the initial encounter with her. Excited to get the show going, my videographer, Amir and I were escorted to level 3 into the Vision Walk showcase.

Here, works from different Vision Walk hosts were displayed in full view of anyone who entered the exhibition; particular ones of note are Shah Azman’s lesson in conceptual photography, and Ajiem Serr’s presentation of skate photography.

Annatasha wanted to do things a little bit differently, seeing as both photographers prior hosted their event outdoors, hers would comprise of a studio session as well as an outdoor portion of her shoot.

Left to right: Rekha and Tess

Simplicity is key here, as she shows that you can achieve many many things with just simple equipment and props that she brought from home. Armed with one studio light, diffuser, and 2 models named Rekha and Tess, Annatasha taught her participants the pure basics on how to adjust the lights and settings on the camera for a well balanced, and composed shot; which was a pleasant challenge, seeing as light behaves differently in a confined space.

“I love doing fashion photography. I love capturing them in their best element and all of their details within the frame of the shot you know? It gives a more intimate feeling as compared to other types of photography,” laments Annatasha.

The models too provided another layer of complexity in the sense that the second subject can be used as a prop to the main act. “Using two models doesn’t necessarily mean that the subjects need to be in the shot you know?” says Annatasha.

While it can be done, another subject can also be used to complement the main person in the frame, that breaks away from the norms, venturing a little bit into experimental. After a few rounds in the checkerboard room and studio, we went outside and continued on towards Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, of which its architecture provided a very nice back drop for the models.

Everything rings back to simplicity that allowed inclusions for all participants, as half of them used smartphones to take their shots and only a handful were armed with DSLRs.

As the shoot wrapped up and we walked back to the venue, we passed by a skater who was attempting to do a kickflip on the River Of Life Bridge. Sensing a little bit of guerrilla, we set up the models and proceeded to add a little bit of skate photography into the mix.

Counter Culture: CDG Converse at an all Vans affair

Walking back to the House, a chat with Annatasha summarises her ethos which she uses to approach her photography. “Don’t confine yourself to boundaries. Try out weird angles, try out new directions, and who knows maybe something new will come out!”

Cutting Room Floor

Nike Drops The SB ‘Humidity’ In Commemoration Of The Retailer’s 22nd Birthday

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With it’s 22nd anniversary just around the corner, Humidity, a legendary skate-shop based in New Orleans, Louisiana in USA is celebrating it’s birthday by releasing their own colourway for the Nike SB Dunk High. Alongside the city’s annual tricentennial, the collaboration serves as a welcoming gesture to the vast sphere of New Orleans’ history and culture to the sneaker community and if you are a fan of the Nike SB’s, this is certainly for you.

A tribute to the city’s musical heritage, the silhouette is donned up with a metallic gold finish, replicating a shining brass horn while the whole translucent sole displays musical notes. Other details include a removable red bowtie on top of the laces and a purple velvet inner lining that’s a clear nod to the interior of an instrument carrying case.

Retailing at USD110 (RM450), the Nike SB Dunk High “Humidity” is set to drop this Saturday, September 22nd. Available at Nike.com

Masses Picks: Best Sandals/Slides For A Budget

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Casual Flex All Day

Yes. We are aware we’re a portal that covers shoes, shoes, and more shoes, but we, as a collective nation, did not grow up wearing toddler sized Mars Yards, or Grade School Yeezys to the playground or searching for toys in Toys’R’Us (Rest In Peace). The footwear we’ve all come to use whenever we go for a stroll, the mamak to ‘yum cha’ with friends, chores, go down to the shops, the beach, wherever your feet take you, or none other than the perennial slippers, or sandals.

These open toed beauties are more utilitarian than even the most environment focused ones, simply because we’ve grown used to using them everywhere we go, but they need not be left behind in terms of quality and rarity. As your collection of heat continues to grow, we feel that the juggernauts under your feet should follow suit, and as such, we’ve compiled a list of the best slippers/sandals/slides that ensure you’re still as Malaysian as ever, without sacrificing the hype.

The Intro Level

Nike Benassi Slides

An exercise that is structured behind the ‘less is more’ ethos. Big Swoosh adorns the padded strap glued to a generously foamed midsole, that balances understatement with a pop of logo so people know that it’s still checks over stripes.

The Subtle Flex

Suicoke Moto VM-2

Suicoke actually started out making hand-painted Russian dolls before venturing into making footwear after partnering with established rubber manufacturers, Vibram. Innovation meets simple Japanese aesthetics that resulted in the silhouette you see above. Featuring large sheepskin strap, neoprene midsole and completed with Vibram outsole, there’s no questioning about its comfort levels that’s not only functional, but also aesthetically pleasing to look at.

For a more streetwear inclined look, BAPE actually collaborated with the brand showcasing the signature camo graphic on the sandal’s nylon strap, but it’s sold out, and we don’t know when a restock is happening.

All Out Flex

Sacai X Hender Scheme Leather Sandals

You pay for what you get, and this statement doesn’t get any more truer than this collaboration pair. Hender Scheme is known for imbuing its use of ultra premium leathers and making mockups of silhouettes such as the Nike Air Presto, Air Jordan 4, and Adidas Micropacer to name a few, and the brand has been tapped by Sacai to create what is possibly the finest handcrafted pair of sandals you’ll ever own.

The more functional pair is constructed with a brogued heel, and rich leather straps combined with nubuck highlights, whereas a soft wood base comprises the midsole, finished off with a steeply serrated rubber outsole.

However, another that infuses both brands’ DNA together would be Hender Scheme’s iteration of the Sacai sandal, making liberal use of raw, undyed leather for practically every surface that anchors the foot, save for the midsole that alternates soft wood and foam that looks like it’s been hand sanded for 3 months before completing the product.

The Staple Luxe Fashion House

Gucci Slides

You can’t really go wrong with these. Whereas slides like the Nike Benassi above offer simple practicality, a take and abuse anywhere kind of attitude, the Gucci slides do the same, except these are 10 times pricier, and cmon, it’s Gucci. you know you’re someone, or at least someone who has a left a little bit of common sense at home when you’re rocking these at Pavilion.

The Mainstream Hype

Yeezy Slides

Recently featured on Kanye’s feet in his new testament to the love of the women body, ‘I Love It’ featuring Lil Pump, the Yeezy slides presents itself into the casual wear entry that has Ye’s design language plastered all over it. What comes to mind however, is PLUSH. Deliberately oversized and what seems to look like overstuffed straps, it could definitely be an all-day beater. Or just bedroom slippers. Whatever you fancy putting your slides through. Just be sure to cough up a pretty penny for it.

The Actually Made For The Outdoors

Teva Terra-Float Universal Lite

A stripped down version of the Terra-Float, these were initially produced for outdoor used, but eventually made its way back to urban culture thanks to its solid build quality that’s definitely defines function over form. No fancy materials, no extra features, just straps to hold your foot to the Floatlite midsole, and that’s it. Why fix it when it’s not broke?

The College Kid Classic

Birkenstock Arizona/Sandal

Owned by the same family for the past 3 centuries, Birkenstock’s legacy is decidedly methodical, clinical, and straightforward. No flush bullshit, it’s set out to do what it’s done since it’s inception from 1778 till now, which is to provide orthopaedic footwear for the masses, and nothing else.

Despite being labelled as one of the world’s ugliest sandals, the comfort no doubt helps the wearer walk long distances without so much as a cramp or irregularities thanks to its sculpted insole that ensures all parts of the foot are rested, which translates to a larger surface area to step on. Which is why college kids have adopted it as their go to pair wherever they go. For extra hype, the brand has also enlisted Rick Owens to redesign the Arizona sandal, which features pony hair and an accompanying price tag of RM800. When you gotta flex, you gotta flex.

The Eccentric One

KEEN UNEEK

It’s not really a sneaker, but it’s not really a sandal. Much like overgrowth left unchecked that slithers over the general flora, the KEEN UNEEK takes a sneaker like approach to a sandal, employing a heel-back for additional support. There are no straps on this sandal, only cords that form the skeleton that wrap around the wearer’s foot for a custom fit. Whether or not you’re buying this for hiking, or simply plain walking, rest assured heads will turn wherever you go.

WDHANFTSY: Carhartt WIP x Converse One Star

Posted by & filed under Sneakers, TV.

WDHANFTSY returns with the Carhartt WIP x Converse One Star collab (courtesy of Crossover) and this time, Bryan (IG: @bryanbotakchin) breaks down how Carhartt came about while Julian (IG: @julianleong) provide some insights on what to expect before the release!

1-10, what would you rate this collab? arhartt

Tribute To The Fresh Prince: The Air Jordan 5 in Grape Is Releasing Soon

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Rebooted a few times during its life, The Air Jordan 5 ‘Grape’ has seen its fair share of releases, but none as special as this one, because for this retro version, Jordan pays tribute to the actor that put the colourway and silhouette on the map, Will Smith.

A few new adjustments are made to the silhouette this time round, most noticeable being that the lace holes are stamped shut, as a tribute to how Will wore his kicks in the show. Apart from them, colour blocking and design stay true to its original back in the 90s. Going through the insoles, we find the words ‘Air Jordan’ written in the same font as the show it was based on, and ‘West Philadelphia’ stealthily debossed on the tongue.

Which is all good. A slice of television’s golden era has now surfaced in the modern world, and for those who religiously kept up with the show, or just love Will Smith in general, is presented an opportunity to cop memorabilia, that not only commemorates the show itself, but also Will Smith’s 49th birthday.

The Air Jordan 5 ‘Grape’ will be released on 25th September, at approximately RM 800, only at Nike.com.

For more Jordan news, the Swoosh is releasing new colourways, ‘Pine Green’ and ‘Court Purple.’

 

Carhartt And Converse Returns To Remix The One Star

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Streetwear, Militarized

Carhartt WIP and Converse have teamed up once again to release their latest collection with iterations for one of the most popular Converse silhouette. Their first collaboration brought us a three-shoe collection of the Chuck Taylor All Star ’70 Ox and this year, they are giving the same treatment for the One Star design with three new colourways, comprising of black, white and green olive.

Inspired by the workwear industry, the Work In Progress collection was made with a military and rugged feel to it. What strikes you first when looking at the silhouette is the use of Cordura fabric upper, usually reserved for outdoor use and is much more durable than normal fabric. We have seen varieties of apparel and accessories that’s layered with the material, but the collaborative effort may have just pulled of the most balanced mix of both brands’ DNA, which may be the most simplistic, yet effective collab yet.

Additional details include brand print on the tongue representing the area code 313 of Carhartt’s birthplace in Detroit, Michigan. D-ring gear is present on the heel tab and is finished off with the co-branding logo in the insole. Remaining true to its roots, Carhartt WIP manages to combine the somehow utilitarian look with the classic silhouette and for those who are fans of both brands, this collection is a bulls eye.

Luckily for us, the collection will be dropping here in KL, but there’s a catch. It will be a limited release only at Crossover Concept Store in Sunway Pyramid. Retailing at RM499, the collection is slated to drop at the end of this month. If waiting for a limited releases are not your thing, you can definitely try your luck at converse.comand carhartt-wip.com this Thursday, 20th September.

Air Jordan 1 Pine Green and Court Purple Is Dropping Soon

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“But Is It SBB Quality?”

We’ll go straight to it. Yes. It is ‘SBB’ quality, at least, the pictures seem to suggest that. Continuing on with Jordan Brand’s experiment of non OG colourways, the Jordan 1 ‘Pine Green’ and ‘Court Purple’ makes their debut into the main lineup. Nothing out of the ordinary, except that the leather used upon closer inspection seems to look like the ones found on the ‘Shattered Backboard’ colourways, meaning plush, tumbled, buttery goodness all round.

Other colourways to have had the same treatment are the ‘Bred Toes,’ featuring the same colour blocking as these two, and same level of quality we’ve all known and come to sought after. Both the ‘Pine Green’ and ‘Court Purple’ are not excessively coloured, which gives it a nice, yet noticeable highlight on the important details of the shoe.

While this may be a somewhat GR release, the hype around the silhouettes are slowly building up, as more and more people are trying to get their grubby hands on the fabled ‘SBB’ quality. You can too, and you should, as these beauties will be dropping on 22nd September for around RM629, only at Nike.

In case you’re still wondering what the hell is the hype behind SBB, read all about it here to get up to speed.