Sean John currently has their New York showroom set up for “Market Week”, a time where buyers from retailers like DrJays.com visit the sales reps of their brands and write orders for upcoming seasons – in this case, Fall 2010. The design direction for Sean John’s Fall 2010 collection is themed “The Rivalry”. This story begins much the same as all great conflicts throughout history: two opposing forces that wage war for glory and respect on and off the “field” of battle. The privileged, the proper, the pure breed. Check out more images of the collection after the jump:

Continue reading “Monday Fashion Feature: Exclusive Preview – Sean John Fall 2010” →

Rule #1 in Hip-Hop: Don’t Knock The Hustle.

And KRS-One stated clearly in the first principle of The Hip-Hop Declaration

of Peace that amongst the 9 elements fundamental to the kulture is Street

Entrepreneurialism. It is hard, I understand, to speak ill of a rapper or MC

making business moves to better their living and, in some cases, enrich the

communities from which they emerged.

And Jay-Z laid the statutes down a

decade and half ago: “Lets get together and make this whole world believers at

my arraignment/ Screaming, ‘all these blacks got is sports and entertainment’/

Until we even, thieving, as long as I’m breathing/ Can’t knock the way a ni**a

eating; f**k you even/.”

But if you adhere blindly to a “Can’t

Knock The Hustle” philosophy, there’s good chance you feel the same way about

the “Snitching Code”; meaning, in deference to a morally-decrepit conception of

solidarity, you’re willing to put at risk the lives of innocent victims.  

For the record, I hope Hip-Hop artists,

engineers, graffiti painters, b-boys and b-girls, DJs, educators, thinkers,

critics, fans, and non-reptilian executives make as much money is possible

without leaving the crime scene in blood-stained hands. As a cultural force

generating multi-billion dollar revenue for giant conglomerates, it’s critical

we harness the various avenues available for financial empowerment. I write a

great deal about artistic independence because I believe it is the only route

through which artists can double, if not triple, their income in the new

decade—while retaining an unblemished soul. My good colleague Cedric Muhammad

is more versed in the financial realm and runs a Hip-Hoppreneur™ column on this

site every Tuesday. And we both seem to agree that if the age of economic

liberation is upon us, artists would have to move with confidence into the

private sector and demand what’s theirs.

Thus, when Cash Money CEOs Bryan “Baby”

and Ronald “Slim” Williams announced

their new oil venture mid-last week, Bronald Oil, many took it up as sign that

Hip-Hop entrepreneurs were stepping on to higher grounds—making “power moves.”

Unfortunately, more is at stake than a mere business deal which could rake in

some serious money.

The oil industry is a dirty one,

confined to a different league—run by different breeds of men. It is marked by

corruption, graft, back-door deals and every other unethical invention

imaginable. It makes the music industry—for all its shadiness—look like a Girl

Scout lemonade sale. Safe for a limited few who try to do the right thing, most

tycoons are, in fact, over-zealous corporatists whose love of money is only

outlasted by their disregard for the communities and lives ruined from

pollution of the environment. It would be wrong to paint the entire oil field

business bad based on the crimes of a few major corporations, but, by-and-large,

most aren’t committed to doing right by communities—even if their mission

statements swear otherwise.

Bronald Oil is an “independent oil and gas

company focused, on the exploration, production and development of oil and gas

reserves from conventional and unconventional formations.” It should be noted

that independence for oil companies is defined, much like record labels, not by

choice or selection but staff size and retail sales. Though Bronald, based in

the U.S. and Central America, is “committed to preserving the environment,

promoting worker safety and maximizing the potential output of various oil and

gas assets,” it also leaves open the option of utilizing “testing grounds” to

discover “new and developing technologies”; not to mention pursuing potentially

“risky exploration and development opportunities”—all, nonetheless, in an “economic and environmentally efficient manner.”

And this is where those who truly value

the reputation of Hip-Hop as a life source for the empowerment and betterment

of everyday people, as refuge for those lost and forgotten, as security for the

vulnerable and disposable, ought to sit up and pay closer attention.

It is possible that the Williams

Brothers plan to show the world what stuff Hip-Hop is made off, and how, as a

community, top priority is always placed on people over profit; how, regardless

of whatever venture we partake in,

the neoliberal corporate policies that work men and women like slaves and

reward them with very little will never be a part of our culture; how oil

companies can be run with respect for life and the environment

front-and-center. Sadly, not only is this Utopian, it is almost impossible. Oil

companies, by nature, are usually built for one purpose only: profit. And in a

hostile world where severe competition is key to survival, many soon get lost

in the hysteria of Social Darwinism that they forget what “commitments” were

made at starting point to “preserving the environment” and “promoting worker safety.”

All the big oil companies champion

eco-friendly causes not unlike those Bronald Oil espouses. 5 of the top 10 have

this to say in that respect:

Royal Dutch Shell:

Environment: “Through

partnerships with environmental experts and by using new technologies we are

finding ways to help reduce the impact of our operations on the environment.”

Worker Safety:

“Safety remains our first priority at all times. Our goal is zero fatalities

and accidents. We want all of our staff and contractors to return home safely

every day.”

Exxon-Mobil:

Environment: “ExxonMobil

is committed to operating throughout the world in a way that protects the

environment and takes into account the economic and social needs of the

communities where we operate.”

Worker Safety: “ExxonMobil11

is committed to providing positive, productive and supportive work environments

throughout its global operations. The Company has long-established programs to

attract, develop and retain a highly talented workforce that is representative

of the regions in which it operates. ExxonMobil values the exceptional quality

and diversity of its employees.”

Chevron:

Environment: “To

tap new energy resources, Chevron is now operating in more difficult and

isolated areas than ever before. We are committed to seeing that new projects

are developed in an environmentally sound manner and that existing operations

continue to reduce their environmental impacts.”

Worker Safety: “Employee

health and safety lie at the foundation of our efforts to build a talented,

dynamic workforce. A fully productive employee must be safe and secure first.

The health and safety of our employees and contractors hold critical value for

our business.”

PetroChina:

Environment: “The

most important resources in the world are human beings and the natural

environment they are dependent on. … We stick to the principles of

people-oriented, prevention-driven, total participation and continuous

improvement to pursue zero injury, zero pollution and zero accident.”

Worker Safety: “We

respect and maintain the rights and interests of our employees, expand the

platform for their growth, and ensure that they realize their value through the

development of the Company and benefit from the Company’s achievements and

creations.”

British

Petroleum:

Environment: “We

are committed to the safety and development of our people and the communities

and societies in which we operate. We aim for no accidents, no harm to people

and no damage to the environment.”

Worker Safety: “BP’s

commitment to safety comes at the top, our leaders continue to emphasize the

key priority of safe operations for the future of the group.”

As you can see, even the super-rich conglomerates

consider—or, more accurately, state—environmental preservation and worker

safety as of optimum priority. Too bad their record indicates anything but active adherence to these tenets:

In June 2009,

Shell settled

a lawsuit brought by family and friends of Ken Saro Wiwa, a Nigerian activist

hanged alongside 8 others in 1995, following protests of the exploitation and

pollution of native land by Shell. $15.5 million was granted the plaintiffs to

avoid a trial which could have implicated Shell as aiding and abetting the

execution of innocent environmental activists.

In October 2009,

a federal jury awarded

New York City $104.7 million in compensatory damages over the contamination of

groundwater by Exxon Mobil.

In 2007, Ecuador

Amazonians filed

a $12 billion lawsuit against Chevron for contaminating its waterways.

30,000 natives of the indigenous tribe claim Chevron workers illegally dumped

toxic waste into its rivers which are used for washing, cooking, and drinking.

The same year,

China’s top environmental watchdog group fined

PetroChina the maximum penalty of 1 million yuan (125,000 U.S. dollars) for

“seriously” polluting a river which services 4 million people. An explosion, it

was reported, caused the dumping of 100 tons of waste, leading to lack of water

supply in the region for several days.

Last November,

95 Colombian farmers sued

British Petroleum over breach of contract and negligence. They claim adverse

effects of a pipeline construction project have led to destroyed farms and

malnourished crops. Colombian lawyers who tried to assist the farmers reported

intimidation by paramilitary gangs.

So, you notice a trend—a lapse,

perhaps—between what is affirmed in the mission statement, and business as

carried out. It never is enough for a company to claim to respect life and the

environment. Deed always outlives Word.

So, how will this enterprise redound to the

welfare of Hip-Hop? How will it look for Hip-Hop artists to involve themselves

in a scheme known notoriously for the exploitation of natural resources and

destruction of the environment? And how will other Hip-Hop artists respond if

Baby and his brother are one day front-page on The New York Times or The Los Angeles Times or The Huffington Post for a lawsuit filed

by Brown peasants in some Central American village or Black families in some

Louisiana town?  

How much value would be placed on

morality and justice—rather than the plaintiffs who, it might be said, are

simply trying to bring a brotha down,

trying to ****-block, trying to knock the

hustle?

I’m not certain what the official Hip-Hop response would be or

what the dominant claptrap would sound like, but I can predict today on whose

side I would be standing, and for what cause I would be fighting. As hint, it

would probably not be with the millionaire brothers; and not to further Neoliberalism

with a Blackface.

Tolu

Olorunda is a cultural critic whose work regularly appears on TheDailyVoice.com and other online journals. He can be

reached at: [email protected]. 

Gamboa/Lopez KO Game Opponents

Last night, HBO’s showcase card for future champs Yuriorkis Gamboa and Juan Manuel Lopez went over perfectly as both young pugilists scored impressive KOs over solid competition.

Gamboa (17-0, 15 KOs) opened the card against battle-tested Rogers Mtagwa (26-14-2, 18 KOs), were nearly KO’d Lopez last year in a thrilling, Fight of the Year candidate decision loss.

There would be no such heroics this night.

Gamboa came out guns blazing in round one, stunning Mtagwa with a hard left hook. Mtagwa was considerably slower, and repeatedly was smashed flush with right and left hooks to the head and body. Near the end of the stanza, Mtagwa was dropped to the canvas with a left hook to the top of the head. Rogers made it to his feet, clearly stunned but able to continue.

Gamboa showed no mercy in round two, punishing Mtagwa for getting wild with more right-left hooks. Mtagwa was staggered badly several times, and knocked down again from a flurry of hooks.

Mtagwa made it to his feet, but was flattened to the canvas for a third time from a right hook, prompting referee Steve Smoger to halt the contest.

In the post-fight interview, Gamboa boasted on how easily he disposed of Mtagwa in relation to rival Juan Manuel Lopez.

“Two different boxers, two different categories, and you can’t compare Juan Manuel Lopez to Yuriorkis Gamboa,” he explained. “It’s in the hands of the promoters. I’m ready for any boxer they put out in front of me.”

The main event saw Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KOs) capture the WBO featherweight title with a 7th round TKO over technician Steven Luevano (37-2-1, 15 KOs).

The southpaw Luevano was able to counter Lopez at times early with straight lefts and right hooks, but lacked the firepower to keep the stalking challenger from walking him down.

In the 3rd, Lopez stunned Luevano with counter straight lefts off the champion’s jab, and followed up with a strong left uppercut against the ropes. Luevano reset and tried to work the body, but consistently got caught with right hooks on his way out.

Rounds 5 and 6 showcased Lopez taking the fight more inside and forcing Luevano into dangerous exchanges. Each time, the champion got the worst of it, catching flush hooks and uppercuts. Still Luevano refused to yield, despite being forced to retreat at the end of round 6 after being hurt by a series of hooks to the body.

JuanMa started the ending sequence early in the 7th courtesy of a sneaky right uppercut that wobbled Luevano. The champion stumbled backward, trapping himself in a corner where Lopez finished him with a right hook-straight left combination.

Luevano made it to his feet, but referee Benji Estevez wisely stopped the contest just 44 seconds into the round.

When asked about Gamboa’s explosive win against his struggles with Mtagwa, Juan Manuel Lopez proclaimed the he would not suffer the same KO fate.

“My dream is to be champion in 4 divisions, this is number 2, and I’m very happy to have shown the crowd a great fight,” Lopez told HBO’s Max Kellerman. “It doesn’t matter what he did. Mtagwa weighed 122 pound and the fight was at 126. What happened with Mtagwa won’t happen to me, 2 different styles. If it’s Gamboa, [Israel] Vazquez, or [Rafael] Marquez, it doesn’t matter.”

Juan Manuel Lopez-Yuriorkis Gamboa is likely the most exciting fight that can be made below junior welterweight. Lopez is more experienced, has fought better opposition, and proven he can survive a dogfight. On the other hand, Gamboa is much more explosive with combinations, and possesses better handspeed.

For Lopez to win, he’ll want to take the fight inside. Lopez is much better at unleashing short, sneaky punches on the inside that opponents don’t see. There, Gamboa’s speed edge won’t be as significant, and the Cuban won’t be able to generate as much leverage.

Gamboa will seek to keep the contest outside and from mid range. Both fighters are hook happy and can be tagged, but Gamboa’s faster hands ensure that most times he’ll land first. And with dynamite in both hands, he retains the power to possibly score a knockdown and eventually a knockout.

The fight is pretty much even money if it’s made later this year. Who’s your pick?

 

 

Dana White Reveals Possible May 1 Date for Mayweather-Mosley

The boxing world has been abuzz the last week over the ongoing negotiations between welterweight stars Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather. At press time, an official fight announcement is imminent .

 Not everyone is happy about the superfight. UFC president Dana White, a long outspoken critic of the current boxing scene, revealed that he has moved his PPV card UFC 113 from May 1 to May 8 to prevent another PPV wipeout. Last September, UFC’s 103 card was soundly trounced when it went head on against Mayweather-Marquez, posting 400,000 buys to Mayweather-Marquez’s 1 million.

“We were trying to not go the same night as boxing, but these f###### guys can’t get out of their own way,” fumed White to Yahoo! Sports. “I have never seen anything so unorganized, selfish, and dysfunctional as boxing. It’s a joke.”

Mayweather and Mosley’s camps are continuing to scramble to make the fight, following Berto-Mosley being cancelled over Berto’s loss of several family members in Haiti. To date, the negotiations are said to have hit no snag point. Mosley has agreed to random, Olympic style blood testing (which destroyed the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight), and the site will be in Las Vegas, likely the MGM Grand.

Sources stated a press release may have come last Friday, so expect the fight to be announced sometime this week.

Allan Green Enters Super Six Tournament

With Jermain Taylor resigning from the Super Six tournament following 2 bad KO losses, contender Allan Green will step up to face new WBA Super-middleweight champion Andre Ward on April 17.

Green was originally supposed to face Sakio Bika on February 5, but got the call after Bika decided not to sign for unverified reasons.

Unlike the remaining Super Six (Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch, Mikkel Kessler, Andre Ward, Andre Dirrell), Green enters the Group Stage 2 without a fight under his belt, meaning no points and having to play catch-up to winners Abraham, Froch, and Ward.

Green’s promoter, Lou DiBella, promoted Jermain Taylor before stepping down in December in fear of Taylor’s health.

“It wasn’t like it was planned for Allan to take over for Jermain,” DiBella told ESPN.com. “Had we not had the tournament available for us, we were in consideration to fight [titleholder] Lucian Bute [in April]. Allan would have had other opportunities. That said, I think Allan is the right guy for the spot.”

“He’s a big puncher and that’s his great equalizer. Ward is a tremendously talented boxer but if you get hit flush by Green, you’re going to have problems, and I think that will be a real issue for Andre. That will make it an interesting fight…He has a disadvantage [from the points system], but he has that great ability to get the three points in any fight as well as anyone in the tournament outside of Abraham. He was prepared to fight his way into the tournament by fighting Bika and the cancellation of that fight gave him the opportunity to walk in. Now it’s up to him to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Andre Ward’s last fight was a stunningly lopsided upset win over Mikkel Kessler inNovember. Green last bout was a unanimous decision over Tarvis Simms in October.

News and Notes

–          Antonio Margarito (37-6, 27 KOs) has signed to fight Carson Jones (24-7-1) on the undercard of Pacquiao-Clottey in March. Margarito has applied to have his license reinstated in Texas. He was suspended for 1 year last January in California for attempting to fight Shane Mosley with illegal, plaster-covered hand wraps. Mosley TKO’d him in 9 rounds

–          WBA 140 pound champ Amir Khan has received a 2-week extension from the WBA to work out a contract to face mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana. Other potential opponents for Khan include Paulie Malignaggi, Nate Campbell, and Juan Diaz

–          Paul Williams will make his return to HBO on April 10. An opponent hasn’t been named.Williams’ last fight was a controversial unanimous decision win over Sergio Martinez in December

 

 

 

 vs.

Mythical Matchup of the Week: Roy Jones, Jr vs. Bob Foster (At Light-Heavyweight)

This week, I’m matching two of the best ever from the 175 pound division: pound for pound phenom Roy Jones, Jr and feared knockout artist Bob Foster.

Jones entered the light-heavyweight in his physical prime at the age of 27, kicking off his campaign with an easy victory over the faded Mike McCallum to pick up the interim WBC title.

After a dubious DQ loss in his next bout against Montell Griffin, Roy went on a tear, KO’ing Griffin in 1 round in the rematch, and making 11 title defenses from 1998-2002. He was simply too fast and skilled for his hopelessly overmatched opponents. With the lack of competition and being unable to come to terms with WBO champ Dariusz Michalczewski, Jones jumped to heavyweight and made history defeating John Ruiz for the WBA title.

Upon his return to light-heavyweight in 2003, Jones was diminished due to age and the strain of dropping nearly 20 pounds. He has gone 6-5 since, the bulk of his defeats coming to every elite opponent he’s faced.

At his best, Roy Jones was near impossible to hit clean due to inhuman reflexes and countering ability. He could launch 5-6 punch combinations in seconds, and leap in and out of range before opponents could reset or properly adjust their guards.

Bob Foster was the king of the light-heavyweights in the late 60s through the mid-70s. His reign began with a crushing KO of Dick Tiger, who previously had only been stopped 15 years earlier in his pro debut.

With a lithe 6’3 frame and 79 inch reach, Foster was able to generate massive, whiplash-like power. Of his 14 title defenses from 1968-1974, 10 were won by knockout. His only losses in this period were attempts to move up and beat 2 all-time great heavyweights in Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. In the latter contest, Foster became the only man to ever cut Muhammad Ali and at times outjabbed the Greatest before suffering a TKO in the 8th.

Both men have never seen a fighter like the other. In spite of the vast array of opponents he faced, Foster would be surprised by the sheer speed and unorthodox combination punching of Jones. On his end, Jones would be contending with a 5 inch reach disadvantage, and giving up 4 inches in height. Roy would be putting his speed to the test, as he’d have to be get off and leap away from the countering danger of Foster’s lethal left hook and straight right.

This matchup is tough to gauge because Roy was so dominant in his prime, first light-heavy career. Unfortunately, after the drop down from heavyweight he faced his toughest competition in Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson, and Joe Calzaghe when clearly past prime.

Jones has pop at 175, but Foster through his near 20 year career only ran into problems with power when he ventured to heavyweight, and the final years of the 70s when he was on the slide. I feel Foster’s piston-jab will serve to be an essential rhythm-disruptor to Jones, who won’t be able to counter over it without putting himself in danger due to Foster’s reach and height. Jones would be wise to target Bob’s body (think the right hook shot on Virgil Hill).

Based on Foster’s numbing power, skill, and Roy’s chin issues, I cannot fathom Jones being able to evade Foster’s shots for 12-15 rounds. My prediction is Bob Foster by KO between the 9-12th rounds, likely coming from a left hook.

Your thoughts?

 

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