Kid Robot Sample Sale

Not really my thing, but I know there are some heads that are in to the brand on here.  Sample sales usually have HEAVILY discounted items from current & upcoming collections.

INTERVIEW: Mike Nucero (51st State)

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do.
I am Mike , I am the owner of 51st State.  I wear all the hats of right now from sales to creative direction.  It’s a one man show here at the shop as well as the brand.  

 
What is life like up in New York, as far as music, fashion, nightlife, and popular culture?
I live/work about 40 minutes outside Manhattan on Long Island.  Brooklyn and Queens are on the island and are a stones throw so there is definitely a nice sense of diversity where I am from.  In general the music scene out here is pretty ill, people always play NYC so you’re bound to see someone you want to see.  Fashion is a touchy subject for sure.  You can catch a face full of Ed Hardy & Affliction or Bow Ties and Tweed.  It’s just wild in my eyes the most fashionable people these days in my eyes are cats keeping it low key.  Nightlife is the same scene everyone has a DSLR in Brooklyn and is the new nightlife photog of the year.  I guess some may call it inventive.  I guess all of that encapsulates pop culture.  Excuse my bitterness I just see a lot wrong here on the isle as well as in the city.  That can be saved for a different interview.    
 

Tell us a little about 51st State and the people involved?
51st State started as a brand drawing inspiration the subcultures I grew up in. Personally, I grew up skateboarding, surfing, listening to punk/hardcore & hip-hop, perfecting graff handstyles.  Take all that wrap it up and you get 51st State.  We are a Long Island based brand & shop so putting us on the map for shit makes me hyped.  People don’t realize like De La Soul, EPMD, Rakim are all from Long Island.  Gino Iannucci is from here hands down one of the most stylish skateboarders ever. And the our punk/hardcore scene started a trend all over the world. Giving where I come from some shine is definitely important, not taking the city for granted is also equally as important.  

The shop and brand is ran by myself.  There are obviously homies I have take a look at some stuff but everything from the graphics to the marketing to the buying is all done by myself.  Not much has been outsourced for either.  It is a very grassroots operation for skateboarders by skateboarders type of situation.     


What kind of brands does 51st State carry?
We carry brands that I fully support.  Quality is with out a doubt a huge concern of mine.  As far as softgoods go stocked in the shop currently, The Hundreds, Stussy, Mighty Healthy, Fourstar, In4mation, Diamond Supply Co., Fifty First State (our in-house brand). Hard goods Girl / Chocolate, Plan B, Real, Krooked Royal, Thunder, Independent, Silver, Venture & Spitfire. Footwear, Nike SB, Cons, Adidas, DVS. I only carry brands I really stand behind.  I am not trying to be a Nordstroms carrying every brand under the sun.     

 
What are some of your favorite brands out right now?
Supreme, Stussy, Cons, Vans, In4mation, Levi’s.  

What new upcoming events or releases are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on really building the brand out of the shop.  You can expect to see another collab with Elm Company for a fitted cap.  Some new additions to the collection such as a 5 panel camper & a deck.  I am going to continually release bits and pieces all of which are limited.  Also the I am backing a video being putting out by some homies which is going to blow minds.  I can’t let out too much info but keep up with our blog to stay informed.  
 

What would you say are the most difficult aspects or being in your line of work?
The most difficult aspects is probably staying super organized in juggling buying for the shop and the brand.  Also walking that fine line of what I like and what will do well in sales.  Because in reality as much as this is a labor of love, everyone needs to eat so there is a fine line to walk.  Production is also a tough part of this job.  Being such a perfectionist having something out of your hands is the worst.  Getting product back all a run of mis-printed shirts is always tough to swallow.  

The fashion and music worlds are often tied together…What music artists out right now are grabbing your attention?
To be honest, so much of the new music out is a joke.  I’ve written a few blogs about this and as of late my tapedeck broke in my car (which I used for my iPod adapter) and it has been painful listening to the radio.  But there are definitely some people doing their thing.  I am the avalanche is one of the bands. My homies Folk & Stress are an underground gem opening for EPMD & GZA last year.  I am excitied to see if Shyne gets back in the booth. There is nothing new out there artist wise really that I’ve said  “wow” , like Young Money, Diddy & all that I can really do without.  That Kid Cudi album was good though.  Again, I guess you can call me a hater.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us Mike.  Do you have any last words or shout-outs?
I’d like to say thanks for The Goodie Bag for offering me up this interview.  Shouts to all the homies at all the brands we carry, for making the shop run a bit smoother.  Thank you skateboarding, my friends and fam, who support the shop.  Please stay up on our blog, http://www.the51st-state.com/blog. (shameless).  

Stay up kids.    

Camp Lo – “Double Doors” Music Video

Director Court Dunn presents the first installment of his FOUR ELEMENTS series: The official music video for Camp Lo’s “Double Doors”.  Starring Alex “Merlin” Perez with production by Restless Films.

SOURCE: DeadStock Ric’s Blog

Sneaker Con NYC – January 9th, 2010

If you’re a sneaker head and in New York City, then you might want to attend this event going down today. Well, it’s 3:12 P.M. now, and the event started at 12:00 P.M. so I’m a bit late.  The event goes until 7:00 P.M. though. A big sneaker convention with buying, selling, and trading going on with live DJ music and upcoming samples from the newest kicks. A lot of the homies including illRoots, Format Mag, and others are involved. 

Sneaker Con NYC
268 Mulberry Street
New York, NY 10012

Greedy Genius Teradome Preview

Greedy Genius continues to set the bar for footwear brands with their innovative designs and unique colourways.  Their new Teradome sneakers are no exception.  These sneakers premiered earlier today at Agenda Tradeshow in Huntington Beach, CA and have received amazing feedback so far.  Be sure to let me know your thoughts, and be prepared to see a lot more coverage as the year develops.

SOURCE: HypeBeast

Wiz Khalifa – “Smokerface”

Wiz dropped a new track on his Twitter followers so I thought I share with you folks who may not have heard it yet. On this track Wiz Khalifa goes in over Kid Cudi & Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” track and replaces it with his own “stoner rap” which I’m sure Kid Cudi approves. As usual another dope track from Wiz can’t wait to hear more from him this year!

DOWNLOAD LINK: Wiz Khalifa – “Smokerface”

SOURCE: The Hood Nerd