Throwback Thursday: Buggin Out Straight-Up Kirks Out
We’ve all been there before. You’re minding your own business and then some random dude just leads you to your worst nightmare… your brand new kicks have just been scuffed. In Spike Lee’s classic Do the Right Thing, Buggin Out is standing on the sidewalk when a guy steps on his “brand new white Air Jordans.” This scene is among the most iconic sneaker clips in movie history and, even though it was filmed over 20 years ago (1989 to be exact), we can all relate to Buggin Out in some form or another. Here’s the infamous clip and enjoy Buggin Out’s crazy outburst. Note: no sneakers were harmed in the making of this video.
Throwback Thursday: Happy Birthday Nas!
As the highest ranked rapper of all time, Nas has a lot to celebrate, including turning the big 3-8 just yesterday. Nasty Nas, Escobar, Nazir, whatever you want to call him, has been in the game for over 20 years, but he didn’t hit the mainstream until 1994 with the straight fire classic Illmatic. Since then, Nas has continued to prove himself as one of the greatest MC’s with 8 out of 9 studio albums being certified platinum and 3 of those debuting at number 1. No doubt he is one of the heavy hitters in the rap game and, to many, he is one of the few lyricists repping real hip hop nowadays. No matter where you stand on that topic, there is no disputing Nas’ skill and his much earned success. Nas is currently working on his 10th studio album set to drop this year, as well as, a memoir titled “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” being released next Fall. His second album, It Was Written, was the Queens native’s first album that debuted at the top spot and it was also his transition to a more mainstream vibe. This project solidified the rapper’s Escobar persona and also included several collaborations with people like R. Kelly and The Firm. “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” features Lauryn Hill and was an instant hit when it was released in 1996. Lucky for you, we have the music video right here for you… Enjoy!
Throwback Thursday: Nike Air Mag
Last night’s announcement of the Nike Air Mag got us reminiscing about the first time we were all introduced to them. Are you going to cop these?
Throwback Thursday: Bling Bling
In honor of the release of Tha Carter IV, we thought we’d bring you some old school Lil Wayne. This is a Weezy that not many of us remember back when his face was free of tattoos and his head wasn’t covered in dreads. Who knew that the young rapper who coined the phrase “bling bling” would be seen to many as “the best rapper alive?” Here is Lil Wayne, along with the original Cash Money team, in “Bling Bling.”
Throwback Thursday: Original Jordan V
The Original Jordan V sneakers made their debut in the black and metallic silver colorway over twenty years ago in 1990 and, even though Jordan didn’t land another championship title that season, it wasn’t all bad because he got to rock these kicks. Released originally at $125, today these original J’s will run you about four times that price tag, but hey they’re a piece of sneaker history. If you didn’t know, the Jordan V’s were the first pair to use new materials (that are used now) to keep the netting from turning yellow. It’s a good thing they figured that one out! But, in case you’re feeling nostalgic, the Jordan V retro sneakers were recently released and you can still cop one of those pairs.
Throwback Thursday: “Ambitionz Az A Ridah”
Tupac is indisputably one of the greatest figures to have ever hit the hip-hop scene and within his legacy he left us the album All Eyez on Me, a.k.a. Tupac’s best-selling album of all time. Plenty of classic Pac songs came from this project, like “How Do U Want It,” “California Love,” and none other than “Ambitionz Az A Ridah.” As the first song that Tupac wrote and recorded after getting out of jail, EVERY fan of hip-hop should know this song. Not only is it a rap standard, but it has also been revamped by plenty of modern emcees. Weezy featured a freestyle track that remixed Pac’s original on his Dedication 2 mixtape from a couple of years ago. Most recently, DMV rapper, Wale, sampled the Dillinger beat on his mixtape Eleven One Eleven for the freestyle titled “Ambitionz.” It’s clear that the modern lyricists (and artists like myself) continue to look at Tupac as a form of inspiration and, after fifteen plus years, I don’t think that is going to stop anytime soon. All of those tracks killed it in my book, but we have to stay true to the song that started it all. Here is Tupac’s “Ambitionz Az A Ridah.”
Throwback Thursday: The Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi
In The Game of Death, Bruce Lee fighting in his yellow and black tracksuit is one of the most infamous moments in movie history and it’s been referenced in everything from modern movies and video games to even music. But how about those Onitsuka Tiger kicks that Lee was wearing? The Tai Chi sneakers were mainly yellow with the Onitsuka Tiger stripes in black to match the tracksuit, but what was created was more iconic than anything. Back then, sneaker heads were blown away by the bold yet simple design. Today, sneaker heads still look at that heat in amazement. Not only is the design still appealing, but they also are a mark of the legendary Bruce Lee. I mean seriously… who didn’t want to be Bruce Lee when they were a kid? Nowadays, you can find plenty of remakes of the original Tai Chi, like the Kill Bill sneakers and even Kobe paid tribute to Lee with his Kobe V, but nothing compares to the original Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi.
Throwback Thursday: Space Jams
I know I do not stand alone when I say that the movie Space Jam was what helped complete my childhood. Back then, it was cool seeing my hero, Michael Jordan, doing his thing with the Looney Tunes, but, today, I can now look back at that movie as the debut of the Air Jordan XI, the Space Jams. With only five known pairs in existence, these are definitely a collector’s treasure. If you didn’t know, the OGs have been known to be auctioned off for as much as $11,000, showing just how far people are willing to go for a pair of the Space Jams. Today, the Space Jams were re-released as a retro back in ’09 and just a few weeks ago Nike Dunk Low was released in a Space Jam colorway. There is no doubt that the Space Jams will always come back in one form or another. We just have to wait and see what comes next, but let’s not kill the colorway…please!
Throwback Thursday: Kamikaze vs. Kamikaze
Back in ’95, the Reebok Kamikaze IIs were among the best kicks you could get your hands on with the help of in-your-face Shawn Kemp. Although it can be argued as a “slept on” series, there’s no denying that it was a much appreciated release and many have spent years praying for its resurrection. Now in 2011, Swizz Beats has teamed up with Reebok to (once again) revive the Kamikazes. Released in some brightly colored ways, the Swizz and Reebok collaboration has gained serious hypeness thus far. I, personally, am a fan of the revived Kamikazes and may put my own mark on a pair, but what are your thoughts on them? Do they live up to the ’95 Kamikaze IIs?
Throwback Thursday: Life After Death
The only way that I can describe hip-hop in the ‘90s is… epic. I mean who doesn’t remember Snoop Dogg sippin on gin and juice or Bone-Thugs-and-Harmony talking about the crossroads, but I know you all remember the infamous feud between 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. Personally, I respect both of them and I think that they both are among the greatest emcees of all time, but, for right now, let’s focus on Biggie’s second album Life After Death, a.k.a. the highest selling rap album of the ‘90s. This was the last album that Biggie recorded before his death in March of 1997, the same month that it was released. Life After Death is now known for its controversial lyrics that openly addressed beefs between Biggie and a few other artists, but was both a commercial success and a critic favorite. Now I’ll let you enjoy the classic “Mo Money Mo Problems” featuring Puff Daddy and Mase, released in July of ’97.
Throwback Thursday: Air Jordan III
Maybe it was the new Jumpman logo or the visible air unit in the heel. Who knows if the luxurious new feel from the elephant print trim and the tumbled leather is what did it for us, but the Air Jordan III have secured a place in every sneaker head’s heart since their release in 1987. The now iconic sneakers have been reproduced and retroed enough to prove that the public loves them. Most recently, the classic kicks have been resurrected in the form of the “True Blue” III with the Stealth colorway coming in September and the Black Cement III this November. Now recognized as one of the greatest sneakers of all time the Air Jordan III are simply unforgettable and the same goes for the “Mars and Mike” ad campaign. Check out the original commercial yourself featuring Mr. Spike Lee as his infamous character Mars Blackmon.
Throwback Thursday: Got Sole?
It’s the very first Throwback Thursday and it’s only right to start off with what RŌM once was. The video profiles yours truly, all those semesters ago when I was a college student starting out. Look closely and you can see the original Roaming Minds tag.
Blog Line-Up
So we’re going to be categorizing our posts according to a daily theme. Here are our themes and feel free to share your own content. The best shares will get posted.
Music Mondays– new albums, music videos, and even verses dedicated to some serious heat are all fair game
Twisted Tuesdays– a close look at some of the most insanely creative works of art we’ve ever seen
Whack Wednesdays– sometimes there are just some seriously whack things that need to be addressed…seriously
Throwback Thursdays– we’re taking you back in time to everything from the beginnings of RŌM to some sick shoes from back in the day or those old jams that are still fire
Finer Things Fridays– let’s take some time to highlight some of the finer things in life
Sneak Peak Saturdays– always featuring exclusive updates about what RŌM is cooking up
It’s Whatever Sundays– featuring whatever we want
The RŌM Blog 