For anyone who knows me know that for a very long time I was into designing sneakers before I got serious about clothing. Even though I dont do it much now–I still have love for the guys who still practice or were designing them in that era that I was. Many of them friends and a few of them whose work will remain as inspirational sith lodged in my brain. These guys endure many hardships and design thieves such as bootleggers and even Nike brand themselves. Everyone from Qustom Queen, Mizzee, El, JBF Customs, Jester, and the few that I respect from a distance such as SBTG, DrRomanelli (of sorts), and Sekure D.

Sekure D has been customizing for much longer than myself and he’s parléd his talents all the way to the design boards of a sneaker company based in his naive city of Melbourne, Austrailia called Globe. You mightve seen his work before on the selves of Journeys. He’s an inspiration to myself, as well as others. Keep doing your thing kid.

Theres just something about watching my homies perform *pause* that I simply LOVE. It’s like some people are impressed by my craft and these are people whose craft I’M impressed by. They get on stages and have amazing presence and crowd control. I miss going to their shows making my way to the front and spazz to all their songs I know the words to. I encourage everyone to catch a Tef Poe, Rockwell Knuckles, Black Spade, Family Affair, or Rome set.. it’s something of pure joy. Support local.

Anywho, in all actuality, this was my first time really hearing or getting into Killer Mike’s music. I mean, Im familiar with him and know some of his major hit records, but as a true artist and performer, he made it really easy to get into his music and set. It felt like a story the way he strung the records together… a story that you got to know HIM as a person. His struggles with the record companies, his undying spirit to make his craft work for him on his terms, and his outlook on race, politics, and classism were all key focuses that led into one song after another. I thoroughly enjoyed it and wish the homie Killer Mike nothing but the best in life.

I just realized that in my absence of NOT keeping up with streetwear blogs that I have been missing like ALL of the MaestroKnows episodes. However, I do know that people who follow me/ OneTime know absolutely NOTHING about Streetwear so allow me to fill my gaps whilst filling yours. (granted, Im posting this BEFORE I watch it, but) I believe this episode is about Nike’s Back To the Future shoe, fully equipped with a Delorean DMC-12. You’re welcome, Rogers.

They’re finally done. All the size tags have been finished and applied, eyelets inserted, logo tags sewn in, flip-folded, wrapped, and story tags tucked. This 2part installment is about Edward Teach, a man better known by his cognomen, Blackbeard.

Click: HERE. <---- Queen Anne's Revenge store link.

Not much is known about Edward Teach (whose surname will likely also be largely unknown) before he became known as the infamous BlackBeard. Some say he was born in a small town on the south west end of England around 1680. His moniker “Blackbeard” which stemmed from his thick beard and intimidating presence. His track record of piracy quickly spread throughout the surrounding areas of him being so fearsome that often times he didn’t even HAVE to fight due to the fact that his enemies surrender out of fear. Whether or not he kept lit fuses under his hat is also unknown but the thought also kept his image and legacy shrouded in mysterious fear.

During Blackbeard’s residence with the crew of Benjamin Hornigold (another pirate of the 18th century), Blackbeard acquired the reigns to his own ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. It was a 300-ton slave ship built by the English to transport slaves, and subsequently captured by the French and thus modified to hold more ‘cargo’. BlackBeard named the ferocious fighter Christopher Blackwood (who later became known as Blackbeard’s Claw) to be first mate. Eventually Blackbeard attracted the negative attention of the Governor or Virginia who sent for sailors to seize his capture. Through this charter Blackbeard was killed November 22, 1718 by a group of sailors led by Lieutenant Robert Maynard.

Hope you enjoy them. Let me know what you think. Peace out, till next time.